Fears over 'postcode lottery' for NHS weight-loss drug access in Scotland
About 300,000 people in Scotland are estimated to be using weight loss drugs through private means. However, poverty campaigners warn that NHS access to weight-loss medication is highly uneven, described as a “postcode lottery.”
Currently, only two of Scotland’s 14 regional health boards offer the latest GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy and Mounjaro on the NHS. Many individuals who rely on private purchase find the costs increasingly unaffordable.
Case of Private Cost Increases
Debbie, from Glasgow, had been covering the cost of Mounjaro herself until prices surged in September. She has since stopped using the injections and joined an NHS waiting list for specialist weight management that currently spans 18 months.
“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.”
Impact on Lower-Income Groups
Charities caution that Debbie’s situation is not unique. They emphasize that healthy eating and effective weight management remain difficult, especially for people with lower incomes who also face rising food prices.
Summary
Access to NHS weight-loss drugs in Scotland varies widely by region, forcing many to pay steep private costs or face long waiting times for specialist support.