1 in 5 people trying to get weight loss drugs in the UK
Robert Price | Last update: 29th July 2025
Here at SlimrChat we know that the interest and demand for weight loss drugs like Mounajro or Wegovy is huge. Today that level of demand has been described as “unprecedented” and “unsustainable” by pharmacists. Here’s what you need to know
1 in 5 people have tried to get weight loss treatments
The demand for weight loss drugs is now widespread and continues to grow as new research commissioned by the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) shows.
- Over one in five adults in the UK tried to access weight loss treatments via online or in-person pharmacies in the past year.
- Over a third of 16–34-year-olds have tried to get the drugs.
- These numbers would be even bigger if the treatments were easily available from the NHS. Nearly two thirds of younger people would then try to get a prescription.
These results completely confirm the booming demand for both private and NHS weight loss services. But they also raise some concerns for healthcare providers and pharmacies: more people want these treatments than are eligible for them under the rules set by the regulators.
The prescription rules protect us
It’s worth reminding ourselves about the current rules for people to get GLP-1 prescription medications like Mounjaro and Wegovy. They are licensed in the UK for adults with a BMI over 30, or BMI between 27-30 with at least one weight-related condition.
The current NHS rollout of Mounjaro is much more selective. They are restricted to those with a BMI over 40 and four or more serious co-morbidities such as Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease or obstructive sleep apnoea. The NHS rollout is currently limited to 220,000 people over 3 years too.
The NPA warns that the demand, which is sometimes powered by social media trends, is leading some people to buy from unregulated online suppliers. This poses serious risks. We’ve highlighted this many times and most recently in this article about the fake drug risks.
The MHRA, the UK’s medicines watchdog, continues to urge the public to only use licensed treatments with a valid prescription and never via beauty clinics or unofficial websites.
In response to rising concerns, the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) has now introduced new regulations for online prescribing. These include a two-way consultation and thorough review of each patient’s medical history before any treatment is approved.
Pharmacies are at the front line
We know that most of the SlimrChat community have got their prescriptions from online pharmacies and they are key players in delivering the treatments.
Olivier Picard, Chair of the NPA, called GLP-1 weight loss jabs “one of the biggest drug innovations this century” but underlined:
“We want to make sure supplies are carefully managed so that those in most clinical need can benefit.”
Prime Minister Sir Keir Starmer, in his 10-Year Health Plan announcement, pledged to deliver “innovative weight loss services, available in pharmacies.” The NPA says no specific plan has been shared yet about how pharmacies will be involved in the NHS rollout.
The NPA is now calling on the government to urgently clarify the role of pharmacies in the national weight management programme.
SlimrChat’s take-away
We’ve seen what’s happening way before this latest news. The new weight loss drugs are life changing for many of us who meet the criteria. Like all medications they need to be regulated and be available to those who need them. Always (and we cannot reiterate this enough) use a licensed healthcare provider for your prescriptions, and keep your doctor informed throughout your weight loss drug journey.