Latest news with #IndependentPharmaciesAssociation
The Sun
11 hours ago
- Health
- The Sun
Number of fat jab NHS prescriptions doubles in a year as 73% of Sun readers now think about using injections
ENGLAND has become a fat jab nation as weight loss drug prescriptions double to almost three million in a year. Demand for drugs such as Ozempic and Mounjaro show no signs of slowing, with the NHS splashing out £269million on them in 2024-25. 5 It comes as a new Sun survey reveals 73 per cent of our readers are thinking of using them as they struggle to shift weight. Official figures show prescriptions for the big three — Ozempic, Mounjaro and Wegovy — rocketed from 1.4million in 2023-24 to 2.7million last year. The increase was driven by Mounjaro, regarded as the strongest jab, with prescriptions surging to 1.1million from just 3,300 a year earlier. Most were prescribed to people with type 2 diabetes, as the injections were designed to treat that condition, and have only recently been approved for weight loss alone. NHS figures suggest prescriptions in Wales also doubled last year, from approximately 34,000 to 70,000, and in Scotland from 40,000 to 50,000. The numbers are expected to rise again this year as the NHS introduces them through slimming clinics. More than a million people are also already buying the jabs privately. Dr Leyla Hannbeck, of the Independent Pharmacies Association, said: 'Never in my career have I seen a product with as much hype as these injections. 'The demand is absolutely huge and I expect it to keep increasing — the only way is up.' Clare Butler, 48, said the jabs also helped her mental health. Weight Loss Jabs - Pros vs Cons The mum, from Manchester, who has lost 4st 4lb, said: 'Mounjaro didn't only quieten the food noise, but it helped quieten the over-thinking, anxious thoughts that had consumed my life for so long.' She described it as, 'the best decision I've ever made for myself'. Research is revealing wide-ranging health benefits to the jabs, such as lowering risks of cancer, heart disease and dementia, yet warnings over weight loss drugs are also increasing. 5 Medics warn they must not be used in pregnancy, while trying to conceive or while breastfeeding, for fear they could lead to miscarriage or birth defects. They have also warned that rapid weight loss caused by the drugs could lead to bone loss and osteoporosis. Annual statistics from the NHS Business Services Authority show the total number of GLP-1 injections prescribed increased from 1,427,968 in the 2023-24 financial year to 2,734,499 in 2024-25. It was a 91 per cent spike — accounted for almost entirely by Mounjaro's growth. 5 5 The totals also included brands such as Saxenda, Ozempic and Wegovy. In the same period, the cost of prescribing rose from £137,808,297 to £269,276,366 — equal to 2.4 per cent of all NHS spending on pharmacy medicines, or £1 in every £42. The NHS said: 'We expect demand for weight loss drugs to continue to rise in the coming years.' The Department of Health added: 'We recognise the drugs' importance for treating type 2 diabetes and their exciting remit as new treatments for obesity.'
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Protests postponed after pharmacy funding boost
The government has agreed a new funding package with pharmacy negotiators in England, leading some pharmacies to call off protests that were planned for later this week. One group representing thousands of local pharmacies was preparing to take action involving cuts to opening hours from Tuesday, but they say that will be delayed while they consider the deal. Others have said the funding package is a "step in the right direction" but it still will not cover all cost increases pharmacies are facing, including a rise in National Insurance. Announcing the deal, ministers said they were working to turn around a "decade of underfunding and neglect". Community pharmacies have been warning of closures and cutbacks in the face of what they say are unsustainable pressures. Among these are a rising workload, funding which has not kept pace with inflation and the prospect of higher employer National Insurance contributions. And all this as they are expected to help more patients with some conditions to take the pressure off GPs. Government funding for pharmacies in England stood at £2.6bn in 2019/20. But over the next few years that did not go up with inflation. In the current financial year (2024/25) it has been at £2.7bn. The government has now announced a new deal for pharmacies in England, which will see funding rise to £3.1bn next year (2025/26). The deal will also include more mental health support for patients and increased consultations and blood pressure checks. And the deal includes a plan – announced on Sunday – to enable women to get the morning-after pill for free from pharmacies. As part of the deal, the government will also write off £193 million of debt for community pharmacy owners. Health Minister Stephen Kinnock said: "We're working to turn around a decade of underfunding and neglect that has left the sector on the brink of collapse. "This package of record investment and reform is a vital first step to getting community pharmacies back on their feet and fit for the future." There was a cautious welcome from representatives of High Street chemists but warnings that the extra funding would not be enough to cover rising costs. Leyla Hannbeck, chief executive of the Independent Pharmacies Association, said the government's announcement was a "welcome step in the right direction" but it "does not alleviate pressures and will not stop closures". Community pharmacies in England are "on life support", she said, adding the rise in National Insurance and business rates makes the situation "even more acute". Another community pharmacy group, the National Pharmacy Association (NPA), had announced that protest action would begin on Tuesday. It had previously warned that pharmacists were facing a "financial cliff edge" from 1 April, when many of their costs are due to rise. The NPA advised about 6,000 members in England to start "working to rule" from this date. This was due to involve cutting opening hours to around 40 hours a week – the minimum required under their contracts – and would have meant possible weekend closures. But the organisation says that this will be delayed while it consults members on the new deal. NPA chair Nick Kaye said Monday's announcement was a "step forward". "However, the truth is that because of a decade of neglect it also falls a long way short of the NHS's own estimates of the true cost of providing pharmacy services," he added. The NPA is "ready to work with ministers to close the funding gap, reform the system and deliver the sustainable, stronger pharmacy service that millions of people need so much", he said. Seven conditions that your local chemist can treat Morning-after pill to be made free at pharmacies in England
BBC News
31-03-2025
- Business
- BBC News
Protests postponed after pharmacy funding boost
The government has agreed a new funding package with pharmacy negotiators in England, leading some pharmacies to call off protests that were planned for later this group representing thousands of local pharmacies was preparing to take action involving cuts to opening hours from Tuesday, but they say that will be delayed while they consider the deal. Others have said the funding package is a "step in the right direction" but it still will not cover all cost increases pharmacies are facing, including a rise in National the deal, ministers said they were working to turn around a "decade of underfunding and neglect". Community pharmacies have been warning of closures and cutbacks in the face of what they say are unsustainable these are a rising workload, funding which has not kept pace with inflation and the prospect of higher employer National Insurance contributions. And all this as they are expected to help more patients with some conditions to take the pressure off funding for pharmacies in England stood at £2.6bn in 2019/20. But over the next few years that did not go up with inflation. In the current financial year (2024/25) it has been at £2.7bn. The government has now announced a new deal for pharmacies in England, which will see funding rise to £3.1bn next year (2025/26). The deal will also include more mental health support for patients and increased consultations and blood pressure checks. And the deal includes a plan – announced on Sunday – to enable women to get the morning-after pill for free from part of the deal, the government will also write off £193 million of debt for community pharmacy Minister Stephen Kinnock said: "We're working to turn around a decade of underfunding and neglect that has left the sector on the brink of collapse."This package of record investment and reform is a vital first step to getting community pharmacies back on their feet and fit for the future."There was a cautious welcome from representatives of High Street chemists but warnings that the extra funding would not be enough to cover rising Hannbeck, chief executive of the Independent Pharmacies Association, said the government's announcement was a "welcome step in the right direction" but it "does not alleviate pressures and will not stop closures".Community pharmacies in England are "on life support", she said, adding the rise in National Insurance and business rates makes the situation "even more acute".Another community pharmacy group, the National Pharmacy Association (NPA), had announced that protest action would begin on had previously warned that pharmacists were facing a "financial cliff edge" from 1 April, when many of their costs are due to NPA advised about 6,000 members in England to start "working to rule" from this date. This was due to involve cutting opening hours to around 40 hours a week – the minimum required under their contracts – and would have meant possible weekend closures. But the organisation says that this will be delayed while it consults members on the new chair Nick Kaye said Monday's announcement was a "step forward". "However, the truth is that because of a decade of neglect it also falls a long way short of the NHS's own estimates of the true cost of providing pharmacy services," he added. The NPA is "ready to work with ministers to close the funding gap, reform the system and deliver the sustainable, stronger pharmacy service that millions of people need so much", he said.
