More than one in five people say they have attempted to access weight loss treatments via a pharmacy in the last year – sparking concerns from among the sector around unsustainable and clinically unsuitable demand.

New polling commissioned by the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) suggests that growing demand for weight loss medication risks going beyond what is clinically deliverable and could also push more people into using unregulated online providers.

The body warned that many patients interested in using the medications were not eligible to do so and that supplies must be ‘carefully managed’ to ensure those in most clinical need have access.

The poll of more than 2,000 UK adults – carried out by market research company Savanta in June – saw 21% of the public agree that they had attempted to access weight loss treatments in the last year through an online or in-person pharmacy.

This rose to 35% of 16- to 34-year-olds but was only true of just 7% of those aged over 55.

Related Article: Multiple insulin vials to be discontinued in phased supply run-down

In addition, two in five (41%) of respondents said they would access weight loss treatments on the NHS if it was made available to them – rising to 64% of 25- to 34-year-olds.

Mounjaro and Wegovy are licensed by the MHRA for use in patients with a BMI of over 30 or between 27 and 30 but with one weight related co-morbidity.

However, NPA said its new polling suggested ‘many patients interested in using the medication are not eligible to do so’.

NPA chair Olivier Picard said: ‘Weight loss jabs are one of the biggest drug innovations this century but growing demand for weight loss treatment highlights the need to make sure this is appropriate for those who want it.

‘It's clear from this polling that many more people are interested in getting weight loss jabs than would actually be suitable for treatment.

‘We want to make sure supplies are carefully managed so that those in most clinical need can benefit from weight loss medication.’

The findings come after the Prime Minister Sir Kier Starmer suggested the government’s 10-year plan for the NHS could see pharmacies leading ‘innovative weight loss services’.

Related Article: UK study into AMR link between animals and humans launched

The plan itself pledged to increase community pharmacists’ role in managing ‘long-term conditions, complex medication regimes’ and treatment of ‘obesity, high blood pressure and high cholesterol’.

However, details are currently thin and the NPA says it has been calling for ‘greater clarity’.

Mr Picard said: ‘We’re urging the government to bring forward plans to include pharmacies in the roll out of their NHS weight management programme.

‘Pharmacists are experts in medication and many have extensive experience delivering weight loss injections as part of a package of care including lifestyle advice.

‘Pharmacies are well placed to help roll this treatment out on the NHS, and help people make the best use of these powerful medicines.’

Related Article: Supporting patients on weight loss medications: a practical guide for pharmacists

As of 23 June, patients can access tirzepatide (Mounjaro) through their GP practices, provided they meet the eligibility criteria. But pharmacy bodies warned it was ‘unlikely’ that planned provision for weight loss jabs on the NHS will meet demand and therefore ‘many people’ will continue seeking the medication from a pharmacy.

In February, the pharmacy regulator issued new guidance which set out that prescribers must independently verify a person’s weight, height and/or body mass index before prescribing weight-loss medication.

And for all high-risk medicines, the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) said prescribing decisions cannot solely be based on information provided through an online questionnaire.