Local pharmacies set to offer NHS weight loss drug prescriptions?
Robert Price | Last update: 22nd May 2025
We’ve been keeping an eye on recent press reports about getting NHS weight loss drug prescriptions at your local pharmacy. Here’s what you need to know…
Potential local pharmacy access
It seems there are possibly government plans that could see pharmacists playing a major role in dispensing NHS weight loss drug prescriptions. Press reports claim you could potentially get the prescriptions right from your local pharmacy. And this could happen after just a short, over-the-counter consultation with the pharmacist…possibly meaning you might not need to see a doctor first. This would be a big change from the existing rules.
Will they be at NHS prescription cost?
If these plans move forward, the reports suggest the price for patients would be the same as a standard NHS prescription, which was recently frozen at £9.90. This is a huge difference compared to the prices many of us are paying privately.
Reports mention a potential multimillion-pound pilot scheme with a pharmaceutical firm to fund this across the UK. The goal will be to eventually roll it out more widely.
Why the possible changes?
Right now, we know from our members that getting the drugs on the NHS can involve really long waits. We hear there’s a two-year waiting list reported for Wegovy at the moment. And often people have to go through specialist hospital clinics. This is much tougher than just going through the process privately – for most of the SlimrChat community, this means online pharmacies or private doctors.
Apparently, government ministers want to expand the use dramatically. A source reportedly involved in a potential pilot said it aims to ensure local pharmacies and trusted medical support organisations are involved from the start. This will help those who often miss out because they simply can’t afford it.
Why pharmacists?
Pharmacists are seen as “best placed” to help, thanks to their expertise, experience with injections and lifestyle advice. And, of course, they are easily visited nationwide. This move could “significantly widen access” and support greater preventative care.
What the Government Says
In a joint statement, the Department of Health and Social Care (DH) and the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) said they are “looking across the board at how these drugs can be made available to more people who can benefit from them”. However, they did add that specific reports about a pharmacy pilot are “speculative”. They noted the NHS is already using innovative ways like community and digital methods to tackle obesity.
Our view
So, not fully confirmed yet, the focus on potentially widening access is clear. As long as it includes the necessity for making sure people get access to proper medical advice this could be really promising and positive news.