Scots face higher BMI requirement for weight loss drugs on NHS
- Obesity medications Wegovy and Mounjaro have been approved for NHS use in Scotland.
- Eligibility criteria for these drugs requires a higher BMI in Scotland compared to England.
- The increased BMI requirement could restrict access to necessary medications for many Scots, raising public health concerns.
Scotland has implemented updated guidelines for the prescription of weight loss drugs, requiring patients to have a body mass index (BMI) of 38kg/m2, significantly higher than the 35kg/m2 limit in England. This decision follows the Scottish Medicines Consortium's earlier approval of the drugs Wegovy and Mounjaro for individuals with a BMI of 30kg/m2, aimed at treating obesity and related health conditions. Consequently, many individuals in Scotland who may benefit from these medications could be excluded from receiving them through the NHS, which has raised concerns among health advocates and politicians. The Scottish Government has acknowledged delivery challenges, including a worldwide drug shortage, complicating the rollout of these weight loss treatments further.