Demand for weight loss drugs like Mounjaro & Wegovy is becoming unsustainable, say pharmacists

An article today has been released by The Guardian claiming that, as demand for these weight loss medications soar, the supply chain is being put under intense pressure in terms of being able to supply enough of these medications. This goes hand in hand with advice from the MHRA to ensure the products you buy are genuine.

Can pharmacies keep up with demand for weight loss medications such as Mounjaro & Wegovy?

Can pharmacies keep up with the demand? Can the NHS really supply as many people as it aims to with these medications? Or does it mean that a shortage could be heading back to the UK?

For those who have been involved with these medications for a while, you may remember the global shortages of Ozempic in 2023 and the initial shortages of Wegovy upon release due to the surge in demand - have lessons been learnt?

Pharmacies have a set quota that they are restricted to each month - restrictions are put in place at timers of shortages - thankfully we have access to multiple pharmacy suppliers to avoid such shortages - but the impact can be felt nationwide in terms of delays, costs and even outright restrictions on certain medications being sold. Are processes in place to protect people from shortages? And are people still turning to inappropriate providers for these medications?

The original article is as follows;

Demand for weight loss drugs is becoming so “unsustainable” that demand may soon outstrip supply, pharmacists have warned.

The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) said supply problems could encourage people to turn to unregulated online sources, despite the risks involved.

The number of people in the UK using drugs such as Wegovy and Mounjaro has soared to well above a million, with most patients paying to get them privately.

During April, 1.6m packs of Mounjaro and Wegovy were bought in Britain, with the number thought to correlate closely with the number of people using them.

“Spiralling demand for weight loss medication risks going far beyond what is clinically deliverable”, the NPA said.

The drugs might need to be reserved for those in greatest need because they are so overweight instead of being given to the “worried well”, it added.

New polling has found that 21% of Britons have tried to get hold of the medications over the past year, a figure that rises to 35% among 18- to 34-year-olds.

The same survey found that 41% of all age groups would use them if they were free on the NHS. This figure rose to 64% among those aged 25-34.

Savanta interviewed a representative sample of 2,002 adults aged 18 or over online from 20-23 June for the NPA, which represents 6,000 independent pharmacies.

“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,” said Olivier Picard, the NPA’s chair.

“It’s clear from this polling that more people are interested in getting weight loss jabs than can benefit from weight loss medication.”

Supply of the medicines has been hit by shortages in some parts of the UK, including for higher doses of Mounjaro, the NPA said. Supply has been restricted to some pharmacies, which has stopped some new patients from going on to the drugs.

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, the UK’s drugs watchdog, has warned patients to obtain the drugs only with a prescription, and not from beauty parlours.

A Department of Health spokesperson said more people would be able to obtain “revolutionary” weight loss jabs over the next few years.

“Weight loss drugs are a powerful tool in tackling the obesity crisis head-on as part of our 10-year health plan”, they added.

“This government is committed to ensuring that more people have access to these revolutionary drugs when needed, and crucially that they are able to do so in a safe and controlled way. We will ensure that those most in need will receive treatment first.”

About 220,000 people in England are due to be offered tirzepatide, a diabetes drug that promotes weight loss, over the next three years.

Private providers and pharmacies already provide about 85% of all weight loss drugs and need to be closely involved in the expansion of access, Picard added.

“The government should use the massive untapped expertise and skills of private providers, doctors, nurses, and pharmacists to help speed up access to weight loss medication,” he said.

Source: The Guardian

---

To ensure effective continuation of supply and treatment for everyone, private providers alongside the NHS need to ensure they have good relations with their wholesalers and that shortcuts are not taken to ensure extra supplies.

Mounjaro & Wegovy should be sourced via official UK / EU supply chain routes.

The MHRA is also correct in their advice - always ensure you're getting your medications from a reputable source who uses UK / EU approved supply chains via UK wholesalers & UK pharmacies.

Novo Nordisk & Eli Lily supply their medications to the UK via the EU - this means that sometimes EU packaged products can be used to substitute any shortages (as has happened previously with Ozempic & Wegovy). Currently, any medications from outside of the EU are not routinely sourced or provided to the UK supply chain. Neither should your medication come in any other form than the officially manufactured pre-filled pen device - never purchase unmixed powders, compounded medications or purchase from those offering "kits" to mix your own medications up.

How the UK / EU version of Mounjaro should look

Likewise, buying these medications through social media or seeking medical advice via social media rather than via healthcare professionals can be very dangerous territory, with people ending up very poorly or even in hospital due to inappropriate dosing, inaccurate advice, counterfeit medications and providers who take no responsibility or offer little to no aftercare / support.

We are proud to offer our customers regular check ins, online progress tools, aftercare literature directly from the manufacturers on top of our own extra aftercare booklets, and unlimited access to our customer care team. As the regulators continue to assess & crackdown on the multitude of online pharmacies who are unsafely & inappropriately prescribing these medications to the general public, it is also uplifting to see that other providers are starting to offer more aftercare & support to customers. As the scrutiny and understanding of these medications has grown over the past year, it has helped shine a spotlight on areas that needed improvement - from advertising medications to celebrities promoting it on social media - continued learning, understanding & growth is only a good thing for the people who wish to use these medications.

If you ever feel you need any advice or support before, during or after using these medications, please reach out to us - we are here to help support you.

Thanks for reading!