Injectable weight loss management options and their prescribing in Primary Care (eg Liraglutide (Saxenda), Semaglutide (Wegovy) and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro)
Injectable weight loss Liraglutide (Saxenda®), semaglutide (Wegovy®) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) are medications to help people living with obesity to lose weight, alongside a healthy diet and physical activity. Liraglutide is given as a daily injection, whilst semaglutide and tirzepatide are weekly injections. Liraglutide and semaglutide are used for up to 2 years. Tirzepatide may be used for longer. However, it is common to re-gain weight quickly after stopping these medications. They can be delivered using a pen device normally used by the patient themselves.
Currently Herts And West Essex ICB have strict prescribing criteria for injectable weight loss drugs and therefore their instruction is:
Injectable weight loss drugs are not permitted to be prescribed in Primary Care and cannot be taken over if started privately
Please see more in depth information on this guidance on Herts And West Essex ICS website: Weight loss injections – Herts and West Essex ICS.
Private Prescribing
There are many private medical and pharmacy companies who will assess patients and prescribe to those who want to receive the treatment by funding it themselves.
In line with Good Medical Practice guidance, it is the responsibility of the prescriber to make an assessment of the patient and judge their suitability to receive the prescription.
Therefore, If you access weight management support through a private provider, the provider may requested that we (your GP practice) provide medical information for them to help them make safe decisions regarding your care.
The information can safely be given to the provider via the NHS app yourself. If you are unable to do this then we can supply the same information in a computer generated summary for you to forward, although we will make it clear that this does not mean we have made an assessment as to the suitability or safety of the private provider commencing a specific treatment.
The responsibility for prescribing your weight loss treatment sits with the company you have chosen.
Alternative Weight loss Support
If you are a Hertfordshire resident or patient living with obesity and you have not recently attended a free 12 week weight loss programme, you can access the My Healthy Weight Programme by TBC Healthcare. This is a 14 week programme, with a range of ways to access. You can self-refer here: TBC Website | Referrals.
An alternative for patients living with obesity is the 12 week Shape Up Programme delivered by Watford Football Club. Originally just for men, there are now some sessions for women too. For more details, please see their website or email shapeup@watfordfc.com .
If you are living with obesity and also have diabetes or high blood pressure, the 12 week NHS National Digital Weight Management Programme could help you.
Specialist weight management service
My Healthy Weight Plus + provide 12 months of intensive support delivered by a team of specialists, including dieticians, physical activity specialists and psychologists. Each service has a range of ways to access which the service will discuss with you. My Healthy Weight Plus +. provided by TBC Healthcare. You can self-refer here: TBC Website | Referrals.
This service can also help prepare and refer you for possible bariatric surgery (weight loss surgery), if that is the most appropriate option for you.