Health secretary Wes Streeting described pharmacies as ‘pillars of our community’ as he hinted that they will be given the power to prescribe weight loss drugs.
Currently, only a GP or a hospital clinician can prescribe weight loss injections such as Wegovy and Mounjaro.
However, ahead of the announcement of the 10-Year-Health plan on Thursday, government officials revealed that talks had taken place to extend prescribing powers to pharmacists.
Pharmacists are also expected to be given extra powers to help more patients issues like obesity, asthma, high blood pressure and diabetes.
“I’m determined to get the care you need as close as possible to your home and, as pillars of our communities, pharmacies will play a vital role,” said Streeting.
“The nation’s high streets will join the front line of NHS care, as pharmacists get far more power to prescribe and manage a range of health conditions. Our Plan for Change will give patients greater choice and access to the right care, so your healthcare fits around your life – not the other way round.”
At the moment, there is a two-year waiting list for Wegovy on the NHS with report claiming the rollout of the NHS service is taking longer than expected.
Pharmacies already sell the medication as a private service with costs ranging between £120 and £250 for a month's supply.
Last month, there were reports that a multimillion-pound deal for a pilot scheme will be struck with a pharmaceutical firm, with a view to issuing prescriptions through pharmacies and health centres.
The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) said pharmacies are ‘best placed’ to deliver a planned rollout off greater access to weight loss jabs which could benefit 3.4 million people in England.
“Pharmacies stand ready and able to deliver this service,” Olivier Picard, chairman of the National Pharmacy Association (NPA), said on Radio 4’s Today programme.
“Access to medicines that could cut damaging levels of obesity shouldn’t be restricted to those who can pay or disadvantage deprived communities.
“We’re yet to see the detail but this announcement has the potential to make sure that people who need these treatments the most could access them for free.”
Picard added that pharmacists have the clinical expertise to oversee the safe usage of weight loss drugs to tackle “an obesity crisis in the country”.
“Pharmacies are the most accessible part of the NHS, and there are many pharmacies in deprived areas despite recent challenges,” he 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.
“They are best placed to help roll this treatment out on the NHS, with the right funding support.”
