Concerns Over Inequity in NHS Weight-Loss Drug Access in Scotland
Access to NHS weight-loss medication in Scotland is reportedly uneven, with a disparity described as a “postcode lottery” by poverty campaigners. Only two out of Scotland’s 14 regional health boards currently provide new-generation GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy and Mounjaro, though about 300,000 people are thought to be obtaining these drugs privately.
For many individuals, the cost of privately purchasing weight-loss medication has become prohibitively expensive.
Debbie’s Struggle with Rising Costs
Debbie, a resident of Glasgow, previously paid out of pocket for Mounjaro but stopped after the price surged significantly in September. She is now on an 18-month NHS waiting list for specialist weight-management support.
“The last time I paid for it, it was £199, and I was struggling to justify that. Then I got an email saying the same dose was going up to £301, and I thought, ‘Well, I can’t’. So now I’ve lost nearly three stone – but how am I going to keep this weight off?”
“I’m getting to the stage of desperation for that type of rise. If I could get the same medication cheaper, I would.”
“I’ve since been put on an 18-month waiting list for specialist weight management support through my GP.”
Wider Impact and Charitable Concerns
Charities emphasize that Debbie’s difficulties are not isolated, pointing out that maintaining healthy eating and managing weight is increasingly challenging for those with lower incomes, especially given the rising costs of food.
Summary
Limited NHS provision and rising private costs for weight-loss drugs in Scotland are forcing many into long waits or financial hardship, intensifying inequalities in health support.