Pharmacy warning of unsustainable demand for weight loss medication
The NPA, which represents over 6,000 independent community pharmacies, highlighted this concern.
A poll commissioned by the association revealed that 21 per cent of respondents had attempted to access weight loss treatments in the past year, either online or directly from a pharmacy. This figure surged to 35 per cent among 16 to 34-year-olds, contrasting sharply with just seven per cent of those over 55.
There were also 41% who agreed they would opt for weight loss treatments on the NHS if they were made available to them.
This figure rose to 64% among 25 to 34-year-olds, despite many of these patients being unlikely to be clinically eligible.
The NPA says the poll, in which 2,002 people were interviewed, reflects an increasing demand for private and NHS weight loss services.
NPA chairman 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.'
Spiralling demand, fuelled partly by social media, could see people being tempted to resort to unregulated online suppliers instead of regulated pharmacies staffed by medical professionals, they fear.
Online suppliers may not be offering weight loss jabs alongside a structured programme aimed at helping them change their behaviour.
Wegovy and Mounjaro are among a number of drugs that are recommended to help tackle obesity on the NHS.
Mounjaro and Wegovy are licensed by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) for use in patients with a BMI of over 30 or between 27 and 30 but with a weight-related co-morbidity. This occurs when an individual who has obesity develops another medical condition due to their weight.
The NHS currently rolls out Mounjaro to patients with a BMI of over 40 and at least four co-morbidities, the NPA says.
The NPA is calling for new regulations to protect patients buying weight loss medication online, so there is a full two-way consultation and all relevant historical medical records are reviewed before the treatment is prescribed.
They are waiting for more details about the role pharmacies could play in the rollout of the NHS weight management programme.
At least 85% of weight loss medication prescriptions were made by pharmacies in April this year, the NPA estimates.
Mr Picard said: '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.'
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
6 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Unlocking Oncology's Future: 3 Trending Cancer Biotech Stocks with ‘Strong Buy' Ratings
Cancer remains one of the most relentless challenges in modern medicine. In 2025, over 2 million new cancer cases are expected to be diagnosed in the United States. More than 618,000 people will die from the disease, which is equivalent to about 1,700 deaths each day. The scale of this health crisis is driving substantial investments and innovation in cancer research and treatment. As a result, the global oncology market is projected to reach $208.9 billion in revenue by 2025, with forecasts suggesting it could surpass $900 billion by 2034. This growth is fueled by increased cancer incidence, advances in precision and immunotherapy drugs, and billions of dollars in new partnerships and funding, such as Bristol-Myers Squibb's (BMY) recent $11 billion stake in next-generation cancer therapies. More News from Barchart Warren Buffett Warns Inflation Turns Business Into 'The Upside-Down World of Alice in Wonderland' But Weeds Out 'Bad Businesses' Why GOOGL Stock May Be the Market's Next Big Winner Alphabet Posts Lower Free Cash Flow and FCF Margins - Is GOOGL Stock Overvalued? Get exclusive insights with the FREE Barchart Brief newsletter. Subscribe now for quick, incisive midday market analysis you won't find anywhere else. High-potential cancer specialists like Elicio Therapeutics (ELTX), Cellectis (CLLS), and Autolus Therapeutics (AUTL) are earning coveted 'Strong Buy' analyst ratings. Despite this recognition, each remains well below large-cap valuations, which leaves ample room for sharp upside if upcoming clinical and regulatory catalysts play out in their favor. Could one of these under-the-radar biotech firms deliver the next big breakthrough in cancer treatment — and major upside for investors? Let's dive into these three cancer biotech stocks now. Elicio Therapeutics Elicio Therapeutics (ELTX) is a clinical-stage biotech pioneering immunotherapies for solid tumors, with a market capitalization of $158 million. ELTX has posted a YTD gain of 92.7%, and is up 102.6% over the past 52 weeks. Its price-book ratio stands at an elevated 17.6x, well above the sector median of 2.47x. Elicio's lead asset, ELI-002 7P, is advancing through the pivotal Phase 2 AMPLIFY-7P trial targeting pancreatic ductal adenocarcinoma (PDAC), with a critical interim analysis focused on disease-free survival slated for Q3 2025. This interim analysis is a key milestone for the company, particularly for its potential impact on PDAC. Ahead of this readout, H.C. Wainwright analyst Robert Burns reiterated a 'Buy' rating on shares and maintained his $13 price target. Elicio reported Q1 2025 R&D expenses of $7.8 million, a slight increase from $7.6 million in Q1 2024, tied primarily to the ongoing Phase 2 AMPLIFY-7P trial. General and administrative expenses grew to $3 million, up from $2.7 million due to higher personnel costs. The Q1 2025 net loss narrowed to $11.2 million, compared to $11.8 million in the same quarter last year, with a net loss per share improving to $0.87 from $1.15. Notably, ELTX augmented its financial position in Q2 by securing a $10 million senior secured note, extending its operational runway into early 2026 and granting the company flexibility for near-term initiatives. Analyst sentiment skews highly bullish as the two surveyed analysts assign ELTX a 'Strong Buy' rating, with an average price target of $12.50. This places the upside potential at approximately 26% from current levels. Cellectis Cellectis (CLLS) is a clinical-stage biotech company specializing in gene-edited cell therapies with a market capitalization of approximately $140 million. The stock has gained 60% in the year to date, and shares are up 25.2% in the past 52 weeks. Cellectis has a price-sales ratio of 2.26x, below the sector median of 3.6x, and a price-book ratio of 0.96x, significantly under the sector median of 2.47x, suggesting potential undervaluation relative to its peers. CLLS reported solid results for Q1 2025, with consolidated revenues and other income rising to $12 million from $6.5 million a year prior. This increase mainly stems from $5.9 million recognized under the AstraZeneca Joint Research Collaboration Agreement (AZ JRCA). Its cash reserves stood at $246 million as of March 31, 2025, projected to sustain operations well into the second half of 2027, providing ample runway for ongoing development. Research and development expenses slightly decreased to $21.9 million compared to the previous year, reflecting efficient management despite continued investment in pipeline advancement and manufacturing capabilities in Paris and Raleigh. Strategically, Cellectis' partnership with AstraZeneca is a cornerstone of its growth story. AstraZeneca's $140 million investment enhances Cellectis' financial footing and grants AstraZeneca exclusive rights to 25 genetic targets, with options to develop up to 10 candidate products. So far this collaboration is advancing two CAR-T programs aimed at hematological malignancies and solid tumors. Analyst sentiment is unanimously bullish, with the five surveyed analysts assigning Cellectis a consensus 'Strong Buy' rating. The average price target of $5.60 implies compelling upside of approximately 91% from the current share price. Autolus Therapeutics Autolus Therapeutics (AUTL) develops advanced autologous CAR-T cell therapies for blood cancers, with a market capitalization of $670 million. The stock is up 8.7% year-to-date, but down 45% over the past 52 weeks. Its price-sales ratio of 69.4xx is markedly above the sector's 3.54x median, while its 1.89x price-book ratio remains below group averages of 2.47x. In Q1 2025, Autolus reported $9 million in net product revenue, driven largely by the commercial rollout of AUCATZYL (Obe-cel), its lead CAR-T therapy, across 39 fully activated U.S. centers. Patient access continues to grow, capturing coverage for roughly 90% of U.S. medical lives as payer uptake accelerates. Costs of sales totaled $18 million, including delivered but as-yet-unrecognized product tied to deferred revenue and royalty obligations, a natural part of early stage commercial launches. Research and development expenses dropped to $26.7 million from $30.7 million year-over-year, with much of that shift driven by the transition of manufacturing expenses to sales costs. Loss from operations widened to $65.2 million due to launch investments, and net loss reached $70.2 million or $0.26 per share. On the regulatory front, Autolus scored a critical win in July as AUCATZYL secured European approval for adults with relapsed or refractory B-cell precursor acute lymphoblastic leukemia. This unlocks a larger addressable market and enhances the company's global competitive position in engineered cell therapies. The analyst outlook remains unequivocally positive as the nine surveyed analysts rate AUTL a consensus 'Strong Buy,' with a mean target of $9.84, implying 285% upside potential from current levels. Conclusion With major catalysts ahead and strong analyst backing, the odds favor upward momentum as data readouts and commercial expansion play out. Given their positioning and partnerships, these three stocks could deliver outsized gains in the coming quarters, especially if results come in strong. On the date of publication, Ebube Jones did not have (either directly or indirectly) positions in any of the securities mentioned in this article. All information and data in this article is solely for informational purposes. This article was originally published on
New York Times
9 minutes ago
- New York Times
Judge Indefinitely Blocks Withholding of Medicaid Funds to Planned Parenthood
A federal judge on Monday indefinitely blocked the Trump administration from enforcing a policy that would prevent many Planned Parenthood clinics from receiving federal Medicaid reimbursements if they continue to offer abortion services. The order, issued by Judge Indira Talwani in Federal District Court in Massachusetts, extended a temporary block she had placed on the government earlier this month. She found that the policy retaliated against Planned Parenthood in violation of its First Amendment rights and could amount to an unconstitutional 'legislative punishment.' The lawsuit, filed earlier this month, came in response to a provision introduced in the sprawling policy bill that President Trump signed into law early this month. The bill imposed a one-year ban on state Medicaid payments to any health care nonprofit that offers abortions and received more than $800,000 in Medicaid funding in 2023. Many clinics affiliated with Planned Parenthood, which provide a range of services unrelated to abortion, immediately faced a choice between altering their operations and retaining millions of dollars in funding, or facing a potentially catastrophic loss of revenue. Because almost no other nonprofits or national networks meet the $800,000 threshold set in the bill, Judge Talwani found it was 'easily ascertainable' that the provision was targeted and intended to force Planned Parenthood's hand. Federal law already prohibits the use of federal Medicaid funds for paying for abortions, and Judge Talwani previously found that the provision was designed to indirectly squeeze clinics into dropping such services, using Medicaid payments as leverage. She noted the expansive role that Planned Parenthood's umbrella organization plays in political organizing, saying that the provision could also threaten 'expressive' activity including advocating before Congress, supporting candidates and communicating with voters. In withholding funding from the independent clinics that make up the organization's network, Judge Talwani wrote that the provision effectively held the potential to minimize the organization's footprint across the country. In many states, it could force clinics to vastly reduce services or close. She added that the disruption of the many other health services provided by Planned Parenthood affiliates, including family planning and tests for sexually transmitted infections, generally justified barring the policy from taking effect. The Trump administration last week filed an appeal of the restraining order Judge Talwani issued earlier this month. But pending any action from the court of appeals, the injunction she granted on Monday will stay in effect for the time being. In a broader sense, Judge Talwani also found that the law created unreasonable pressure on individual clinics — including some that may not offer abortion services — simply because of their association with the larger Planned Parenthood network. The provision of the bill, she wrote, 'requires each member to disaffiliate with Planned Parenthood Federation and stop providing abortion to continue participating in Medicaid programs.' Imposing the choice on the federation's members, she added, 'kneecaps the entire organization.'
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Hospitals make record number of requests for doctors to work during strikes, claims union
Hospitals made a record number of requests for striking doctors to return to the wards this weekend as a five-day walkout prompted safety fears for patient safety, the British Medical Association has claimed. The BMA said hospitals had asked for more than 125 resident doctors to come off the picket lines during the walkout. The union has claimed some of those pleas were made inappropriately and had to be refused, while those that had been granted had to be revoked. It also said there had been incidents where patient safety was at risk due to trusts not having enough staff to cover emergency care. Resident doctors are taking part in a strike over pay, which began on Friday, 25 July and will end at 7am on Wednesday. The BMA's resident doctors committee has asked the government for a 29 per cent pay increase to address what it says has been a more than 20 per cent erosion of their pay since 2008. However, talks between doctors and health secretary Wes Streeting broke down last week and failed to avert strike action. Last week, NHS England chiefs told hospital leaders they must maintain elective care during the strikes, whereas during previous rounds, widespread cancellations took place. During strikes, employers can request 'derogations', in which a union can grant permission for a doctor or multiple doctors to come into work on strike days. NHS England's figures as of Monday show 58 requests for 'derogations' had been made, eight had been approved, 23 had been declined, 15 had been withdrawn, and some are still pending a decision. There has so far been a record number of approvals compared to previous strike rounds, according to NHS data. An NHS England spokesperson said: "The NHS is continuing to work hard to maintain more services than in previous rounds of industrial action, and early indications show the plan is working with the vast majority of planned care going ahead. 'Derogation requests for resident doctors to work in exceptional circumstances are being made by the most senior clinical teams on the ground, and delays or refusals by the British Medical Association questions their integrity and risks patient safety." Over the weekend, the BMA claimed one hospital, in Sheffield, had asked for resident doctors to come in as its consultants were not able to use the trust's new electronic records system. The union also posted on X, claiming it had agreed to let a doctor return to work within the obstetric department at Queens Medical Centre, run by Nottingham University Hospitals Trust. Other trusts cited by the union include Lewisham and St George's Hospitals in London. In a message to resident doctors on Sunday, the BMA resident doctors' committee said: 'This dispute had exposed a small number of trusts where they have planned as if strikes were not even happening. We have received a record number of derogation requests this set of strikes. This is because NHS England has issued instructions to Trusts to try to keep elective activity open, despite our warnings of the risks to patient safety.' The message claimed the BMA has received 47 derogation requests from NHS England and that these contained requests for 125 resident doctors to return to work to cover gaps. Following requests, the BMA said it had granted 16 doctors permission to go back to work. It said the trusts where derogations were revoked were either 'misinformed about their staffing, or deliberately misled' the BMA. Other 'inappropriate' derogations the BMA said it had been asked for included where trusts planned for a full rota of resident doctors, and then were 'caught out when resident doctors went on strike'. Multiple trusts had 'prioritised elective activity over the safety of more urgent patients', the BMA claimed. It said due to 'poor timing of requests', there have been instances where patients' safety has been at risk, 'with not enough doctors to ensure emergency care,' which has led to 'last-minute' requests for doctors. Ahead of the strikes, the BMA was criticised for advising resident doctors against informing their employers of their plans to strike. In a rare intervention, the Academy of Medical Royal Colleges published a statement to the BMA warning that this would risk patient safety.
