Concerns Over Unequal Access to NHS Weight-Loss Drugs in Scotland
Approximately 300,000 people are reportedly obtaining weight-loss medications privately. However, poverty campaigners warn that access to NHS weight-loss drugs in Scotland varies greatly depending on location, creating a so-called “postcode lottery.”
Only two out of Scotland’s 14 regional health boards currently provide the new GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy and Mounjaro through the NHS, while many must pay privately.
Private Costs Becoming Unaffordable
Debbie from Glasgow had been buying Mounjaro at private prices until a steep increase in September made it impossible for her to continue. Now, she has stopped injections and joined 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.”
Broader Impact on Low-Income Individuals
Charities highlight that Debbie’s situation is not unique. They point out that maintaining healthy eating and managing weight becomes significantly harder for those with lower incomes, especially as food prices continue to rise.
Summary
Access to NHS weight-loss drugs in Scotland is uneven, with rising private costs pushing many to long waits for specialist care, disproportionately affecting low-income individuals.