Wegovy/semaglutide etc for weight loss

[LimeMango]

With the recent news that access to these drugs is going to be widened, does anyone know if the criteria for getting them will be changed too?

I’m obese. Hovering around a BMI of 40. I’d really like to shift the weight. As far as I’m aware I’m not diabetic. Blood pressure is at the very high end of normal I think. Cholesterol is high, but not being treated (yet). I’m unsure if I qualify — does anyone know?

The GP needs to refer you to weight management service.

https://www.secondnature.io/blog/ozempic-nhs

That website is a bit out of date. It has been approved for weight loss in the UK now, and GPs will be able to prescribe it. I just can’t find the criteria for being prescribed it by a GP.

I feel it will be regional. Some areas will be prescribing it at GP level, others won't.

I've just re read the release on this from our local ICB. Due to the attached risks it will only be prescribed by a specialist weight management team. And to date, this area has no such team.......

@LimeMango The info is from 19th May. The last info we had (I work in a GP practice) was that GP’s will not be prescribing it for weight loss but that tier 3 weight management services can prescribe it for weight loss.

Are you saying there is new guidance? TBF patients often tell me they’ve heard something or read something online & we then get an email 4 days later!

This is from four days ago:

Plan for GPs to offer NHS patients Wegovy weight-loss jab https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-65821450

In bold, under the picture, it says may start offering.
I wouldn’t rush to book a GP appointment yet as It also says The new scheme will test how GPs could safely prescribe such drugs so there isn’t suddenly going to be a national roll out.

My DD20 was referred to tier 3 weight management to see if she could access Wegovy and was told she was too young! They refused the referral. Where we live weight management is run by a local commercial company who hire in sessional workers like dieticians and counsellors - really poor quality service. But in the next borough it’s run by a huge well regarded teaching hospital. It’s going to be a postcode lottery.

GPs are ONLY prescribing for diabetes

It's becoming a popular misconception that Tier 3 Weight Management are prescribing it after GP referrals.

My local Tier 3 absolutely categorically isn't and is livid at all the GP referrals they are getting with everyone thinking they can get Ozempic when the service has no prescribing ability At All For ANY drug.

This information is up to date. I spoke to someone very forthright from Tier 3 on Friday.

It's possible it's just my local area but I doubt it because if you think about it the dietitians etc aren't qualified to write prescriptions

In my area the WLT are 'unable to prescribe at all across the whole region'.

There are many of us already using Ozempic for weight loss. Have a look on some of the weight loss threads.

And specifically regarding WeGovy, Boots was supposed to launch itself as a private supplier in April.

This has been indefinitely delayed

The thought is that the sheer demand outweighed their supply chain/ability to fulfil every dosage for each individuals process.

The sign up is still here :

onlinedoctor.boots.com/weight-loss/wegovy/

I’m in the US and was recently prescribed Wegovy. It was suggested by my GP because I do have substantial
weight to lose. Getting my prescriptions is problematic and I have had interruptions. There are huge supply issues.

I snuck in just under the wire because the practice has been told not to start anyone else because it is too hard to get consistently.

I would expect supply to be a barrier to expansion in the UK.