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Fewer than 800 Scots receive NHS weight loss jabs as doctors warn of inequality
Overview
A BBC News investigation reveals that fewer than 800 people in Scotland have received weight loss injections on the NHS, despite the medications being approved for use up to three years ago. While private prescriptions have soared with an estimated 300,000 people accessing the drugs privately, fewer than half of Scotland's health boards currently offer the treatment specifically for weight loss, and then only through small pilot schemes. Leading doctors have criticised the situation as discriminatory and warned that it is widening health inequalities.
Key points
- Fewer than 800 patients in Scotland have received NHS weight loss injections despite approval years ago.
- Only five health boards and the NHS State Hospital currently prescribe the drugs for weight loss through small pilot schemes.
- An estimated 300,000 people are accessing weight loss drugs privately in Scotland.
- Leading doctors have described the lack of NHS availability as discriminatory and a driver of health inequalities.
- The Scottish government stated that individual health boards are responsible for decisions regarding the availability of medicines.