Isma May
Proposed NHS scheme aims to slash waiting lists and broaden community access to obesity treatments
On 2 May 2025, reports emerged that NHS England is set to launch a pilot programme enabling patients to obtain weight-loss injections such as Wegovy (semaglutide) and Mounjaro (tirzepatide) directly from high street pharmacies. Under the proposed arrangement, prescriptions would be issued following a brief consultation with a pharmacist, marking a significant shift away from the current reliance on specialist weight management clinics. The move reflects mounting pressure to tackle obesity, which has risen from 61.2 per cent of adults in England being overweight or obese in 2015–16 to 64.5 per cent in 2023–24, according to the latest government statistics. Campaigners have long called for more accessible pathways, arguing that streamlined provision at community pharmacies could democratise treatment and mitigate long waiting times.
At present, injectable treatments for obesity are confined to Tier 3 and Tier 4 services, which require referral to specialist centres and often involve lengthy delays. Sky News has revealed that some patients face up to a two-year wait for Wegovy on the NHS, with clinicians describing the resulting postcode lottery as “soul-destroying” for those with severe obesity.
Under the planned pilot, a multimillion-pound deal with an unnamed pharmaceutical firm would fund the dispensing of weight-loss injections at participating pharmacies. After a brief one-to-one consultation, eligible patients could obtain a month’s supply for the standard NHS prescription charge of £9.90—a stark contrast to the approximate £150 private cost. Pharmacies are seen as ideally placed to deliver the service, thanks to extended opening hours and local accessibility, which may prove especially valuable in areas underserved by specialist clinics.
Clinical trials have demonstrated that GLP-1 receptor agonists can achieve an average weight reduction of nearly 23 per cent in patients with obesity, outperforming conventional lifestyle interventions in many cases. However, experts warn of potential severe side effects—including gastroparesis, pancreatitis and gallbladder disease—underscoring that these injections must be prescribed alongside holistic support encompassing diet, exercise and psychological counselling.
A government spokesperson said the initiative aligns with ministers’ strategy to shift the NHS “from sickness to prevention”, adding that community care models and digital technologies will be utilised to integrate weight-loss treatments into a rounded programme of support. The statement suggests officials hope to combine pharmacy consultations with Telehealth follow-ups and local lifestyle clinics.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has indicated that around 3.4 million people in England could be eligible for these injections under existing guidance, yet its final draft recommends phasing availability to prioritise patients with the highest clinical need. In December 2024, NICE announced it would recommend tirzepatide (Mounjaro) for adults with a body mass index (BMI) over 35 kg/m² and at least one weight-related comorbidity, with lower BMI thresholds applying to some minority ethnic groups to reflect their increased health risks.
Observers note that empowering pharmacies as community hubs could help the NHS manage the obesity epidemic more sustainably. Latest official figures show that 64.5 per cent of adults in England were overweight or living with obesity in 2023–24, with 26.5 per cent classified as obese, highlighting the scale of demand likely to follow broadened access. Obesity currently costs the NHS an estimated £6 billion annually and is linked to more than 200 health conditions, from type 2 diabetes to cardiovascular disease. By decentralising access to injections, the pilot could relieve mounting demand on specialist services and GP practices.
The pilot remains subject to formal sign-off, with final details on service delivery, patient eligibility and monitoring frameworks due to be confirmed over the summer. If approved, select pharmacies across England could begin issuing weight-loss injections from early autumn, with the programme’s clinical and operational outcomes evaluated after 12 months to inform potential nationwide rollout.
Campaign groups have responded cautiously to the proposals. The Obesity Health Alliance welcomed any measure to improve access but stressed that pharmacy-based provision must be accompanied by comprehensive wraparound services, including nutritional counselling and physical activity programmes. They warned that, without equitable distribution and robust clinical oversight, the scheme could inadvertently deepen health inequalities by favouring patients in more affluent areas.
Image – Wild Awake – stock.adobe.com
David jones
