CPhO: ‘Ambition’ to explore weight-loss meds through non-GP routes

The provision of weight-loss medication in NHS primary care will be delivered through general practice in the first instance, but there is an ‘ambition’ to explore other routes of delivery, England’s chief pharmaceutical officer (CPhO) has said.

His comments follow media reports last week that suggested the government might pilot NHS delivery of weight-loss drugs through community pharmacies.

The speculation was welcomed by the sector, which highlighted that many community pharmacists already support patients with medicated weight management and wraparound care as a private service.

Related Article: CPE 'open to discussing' NHS weight-loss jabs through pharmacies

In response to a question from The Pharmacist at the Clinical Pharmacy Congress in London today, CPhO David Webb said that 'initially' the plan was to deliver the drug through the usual general practice route that most medicines in primary care follow.

But he added: 'I think there is an ambition to explore other ways of delivery.'

And he highlighted the importance of wraparound care, such as diet and lifestyle support, alongside medicated weight-loss treatments.

Community Pharmacy England told The Pharmacist last week that it was 'open to discussing' how weight-loss medication could be delivered through community pharmacies on the NHS.

Also in his keynote address at CPC today, the CPhO shared that 18,000 consultations with community pharmacist prescribers had taken place so far through the prescribing pathfinder project.

And he said the evaluation of that project was already underway.

Related Article: CPhO: ‘Ambition’ to explore weight-loss meds through non-GP routes

The CPhO also addressed the question of professional leadership for both pharmacists and pharmacy technicians.

Mr Webb said the incoming Royal College of Pharmacy and the Association of Pharmacy Technicians UK (APTUK) would need to address the question of pharmacy technician membership 'at an early opportunity'.

And he said the transition of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS) to a royal college was ‘a first step’ in stronger professional leadership.

The RPS has said it 'recognises and respects' the APTUK 'as the professional leadership body for pharmacy technicians in the UK'.

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'While the relationship between RPS and pharmacy technicians is not part of our constitution and governance, we have said that we are open to a future discussion with APTUK as the professional leadership body for pharmacy technicians about ways we can come together in terms of professional leadership'.

But it stressed that any change would need to be supported by RPS members and the APTUK.

Related Article: CPhO: ‘Ambition’ to explore weight-loss meds through non-GP routes