Latest news with #NationalPharmacyAssociation
BBC News
6 hours ago
- Health
- BBC News
Berkshire pharmacist warns about unregulated weight loss drugs
A pharmacist has said the sale of weight loss drugs from unregulated sellers is putting people at Picard, who runs pharmacies across Berkshire and is the Chair of the National Pharmacy Association (NPA), said people ineligible for the drugs privately or through the NHS were buying them said people "don't know what you're getting", and called on the government to crack down on unregulated sellers.A spokesperson for the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said they were working with social media companies to identify and prevent the illegal online sales. 'Image-conscious' Research from the NPA found 35% of 16-34 year olds had attempted to access weight loss treatments in the last year, either through an online or in person pharmacy."We think that this is primarily driven by online social media platforms, younger people are maybe more image-conscious and therefore desperate to access a treatment for one reason or another," said Mr he said people were only eligible for the drugs if their BMI was over a certain number, or if they had certain comorbidities."What we're seeing is a lot of young people coming in for the treatment who are not eligible," he said."People then still have that desperation of thinking that this is the holy grail of weight loss and go and access it online." The repercussions of this can be "horrendous", he said."Someone who came to my pharmacy having purchased something on a social media platform, received four syringes with some fluid in it, injected it - it was pure insulin," he said."Luckily for that patient, whilst she went into a hypoglycaemic coma, she had family with her, they called an ambulance, she is fine."But... buying from social media platforms, you don't know what you're getting and this is why we're putting out these warnings."The MHRA spokesperson said: "Our Criminal Enforcement Unit works tirelessly with partners to prevent, detect and investigate illegal activity involving medicines and medical devices... this can lead to the removal of social media posts illegally selling medicines and, where necessary, the suspension of accounts and the taking down of websites." You can follow BBC Berkshire on Facebook, X (Twitter), or Instagram.
Scotsman
2 days ago
- Health
- Scotsman
Warning as weight loss drugs could go out of stock over demand
Pharmacies have warned that the demand for weight loss medication risks going far beyond what is clinically deliverable 🚨 Sign up to our daily newsletter Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to Edinburgh News, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... More than one in five people have attempted to access weight loss medications according to a recent poll. Pharmacies have described the current demand for medications 'unsustainable'. Many patients interested in accessing weight loss medications are not eligible. Pharmacies have issued a stark warning about the 'unsustainable' demand for weight loss drugs. More than one in five people in the UK have attempted to access weight loss medications through a pharmacy last year, with the National Pharmacy Association (NPA), explaining that the demand 'risks going far beyond what is clinically deliverable'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad New polling commissioned by the NPA, who represent over 6000 independent community pharmacies, and carried out by Savanta found that: 21% of the public agreed 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, compared to only 7% of those over 55. Whilst, 41% agreed that 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. However, the NPA warned that many patients interested in using the medication are not eligible to do so. Pharmacies have warned that spiralling demand for weight loss medication risks going far beyond what is clinically deliverable. | Illustration byOlivier Picard, Chair of the National Pharmacy Association 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. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "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.' Who is eligible for weight loss medications? Weight loss medications 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 and with one weight related co-morbidity. However, the NHS are only rolling out Mounjaro to patients with a BMI of over 40 and at least four co-morbidities. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Could weight loss drugs go out of stock? The demand for weight loss drugs like Mounjaro and Wegovy could have a negative impact on stock. If this continues to soar, this could potentially lead to medication shortages. The NPA have warned that the demand for weight loss medication risks going far beyond what is clinically deliverable. Do you take weight loss medications and are you planning on going abroad this summer? Find out more on the rules on taking weight loss jabs on holiday.
Medscape
2 days ago
- Health
- Medscape
Weight-Loss Drug Demand Risks Overwhelming Pharmacies
Unprecedented demand for weight-loss medication risks going far beyond what is clinically deliverable, the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has warned. A survey of over 2000 adults for the NPA found that more than 1 in 5 adults had attempted to access weight-loss treatments — either online or in person — in the past year. Among 16- to 34-year-olds, the figure rose to more than 1 in 3. In contrast, only 7% of adults over 55 had made similar attempts. The NPA said that many people seeking treatment are not clinically eligible. It urged the government to bring forward plans to include pharmacies in the rollout of the NHS weight management-programme. The association said social media had played a major role in fuelling demand, raising concerns that patients could turn to unregulated online suppliers. Tighter Safeguards Needed The NPA called for new regulations to protect patients buying weight-loss medication online, ensuring a two-way consultation and a review of relevant medical records by a qualified prescriber. The survey, carried out by market research firm Savanta, also found that 41% would be willing to access weight-loss treatments through the NHS if these were made available to them. Among 25- to 34-year-olds, the figure rose to 64%. The NPA said the findings highlight booming demand for both private and NHS weight-loss services. Eligibility Criteria Remain Strict According to guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, patients must meet strict clinical criteria to be prescribed drugs such as Mounjaro and Wegovy. Pharmacy-prescribed patients typically need a BMI of at least 35 and at least one weight-related comorbidity. Wegovy may be offered to people with a BMI of 30-34.9 who meet the criteria for referral to specialist overweight and obesity management services. Currently, the NHS offers Mounjaro only to those with a BMI of over 40 and at least four comorbidities. GP Services Already Under Strain Last month, after Mounjaro became available at GP surgeries in England, Royal College of General Practitioners chair Professor Kamila Hawthorne urged patients not to contact their GP unless they thought they met eligibility criteria. She warned that GPs were already "overburdened" and lacked the workforce to meet additional demand. The NPA estimates that at least 85% of prescriptions for weight-loss medication were handled by pharmacies in April this year. During the launch of the 10-Year Health Plan, Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer pledged to deliver 'innovative weight-loss services' through pharmacies. However, the NPA noted that no further details have been provided about pharmacy involvement in the NHS rollout of these services. 'Weight-loss jabs are one of the biggest drug innovations this century,' said Olivier Picard, NPA chair. 'But growing demand for weight-loss treatment highlights the need to make sure this is appropriate for those who want it,' he added. 'We want to make sure supplies are carefully managed so that those in most clinical need can benefit,' Picard said.
Yahoo
2 days ago
- Health
- Yahoo
Pharmacies warn of unsustainable demand for weight loss medication
The booming demand for weight loss jabs may be unsustainable, pharmacists warn. Many more patients are interested in using weight loss medication than are actually suitable for treatment, according to the National Pharmacy Association (NPA), which represents more than 6,000 independent community pharmacies. Some 21% of people who were interviewed in a NPA-commissioned poll agreed they had attempted to access weight loss treatments in the last year, either online or in person at a pharmacy, rising to 35% of 16 to 34-year-olds. This is compared to only 7% 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.'
Scotsman
2 days ago
- Health
- Scotsman
Warning as weight loss drugs could go out of stock over demand
Pharmacies have warned that the demand for weight loss medication risks going far beyond what is clinically deliverable 🚨 Sign up to our daily newsletter – Regular news stories and round-ups from around Scotland direct to your inbox Sign up Thank you for signing up! Did you know with a Digital Subscription to The Scotsman, you can get unlimited access to the website including our premium content, as well as benefiting from fewer ads, loyalty rewards and much more. Learn More Sorry, there seem to be some issues. Please try again later. Submitting... More than one in five people have attempted to access weight loss medications according to a recent poll. Pharmacies have described the current demand for medications 'unsustainable'. Many patients interested in accessing weight loss medications are not eligible. Pharmacies have issued a stark warning about the 'unsustainable' demand for weight loss drugs. More than one in five people in the UK have attempted to access weight loss medications through a pharmacy last year, with the National Pharmacy Association (NPA), explaining that the demand 'risks going far beyond what is clinically deliverable'. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad New polling commissioned by the NPA, who represent over 6000 independent community pharmacies, and carried out by Savanta found that: 21% of the public agreed 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, compared to only 7% of those over 55. Whilst, 41% agreed that 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. However, the NPA warned that many patients interested in using the medication are not eligible to do so. Pharmacies have warned that spiralling demand for weight loss medication risks going far beyond what is clinically deliverable. | Illustration byOlivier Picard, Chair of the National Pharmacy Association 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. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad "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.' Who is eligible for weight loss medications? Weight loss medications 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 and with one weight related co-morbidity. However, the NHS are only rolling out Mounjaro to patients with a BMI of over 40 and at least four co-morbidities. Advertisement Hide Ad Advertisement Hide Ad Could weight loss drugs go out of stock? The demand for weight loss drugs like Mounjaro and Wegovy could have a negative impact on stock. If this continues to soar, this could potentially lead to medication shortages. The NPA have warned that the demand for weight loss medication risks going far beyond what is clinically deliverable.
