Overview

• The UK government is set to launch a pilot scheme allowing high-street pharmacies to prescribe GLP-1 weight-loss injections like Wegovy and Mounjaro after brief consultations.
• The jabs, previously confined to specialist clinics with long wait times, will be available at the standard NHS prescription price of £9.90, significantly reducing private costs of up to £300 per month.
• Pharmacies report readiness to deliver the service, with leaders emphasizing accessibility for underserved communities and those unable to afford private options.
• GLP-1 receptor agonists mimic a natural hormone to suppress appetite, achieving up to 15-20% weight loss in clinical trials, but require medical supervision to manage potential side effects.
• The pilot aims to address obesity, which costs the NHS £6 billion annually, and could pave the way for broader rollout if successful, with 3.4 million people estimated to be eligible for the treatment.