NHS Western Isles prescribes weight loss drugs at triple rate of other Scottish boards

A recent report by the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) revealed significant differences in how Scotland's health boards prescribe new medicines, including drugs for weight management, heart attacks, and strokes, BBC Health reported.

The NHS Western Isles is prescribing GLP-1 medications, used for type 2 diabetes and approved for weight management in 2023, at nearly three times the rate of any other health board in Scotland, according to the report.

NHS Western Isles stated it has observed significant clinical benefits from the use of these drugs. However, the ABPI noted limitations in the data and suggested that better planning could help address inequalities in access across health boards.

The Scottish government responded by saying it would carefully consider the report's findings. It highlighted ongoing health board reforms aimed at improving equity of access and reducing unwarranted variation and bureaucratic barriers.

These reforms include plans to consolidate the number of mainland health boards from 14 to two, a move that has faced opposition from leading doctors, according to BBC Health.