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Medicines for weight management

Currently medicines for weight management are not recommended to be prescribed in NHS Highland.

We understand that there is significant interest in these medicines, and we are working to develop prescribing pathways that can meet the need of patients in NHS Highland as equitably as possible.

A national Short Life Working Group has produced recommendations to support Scottish Health Boards develop local clinical pathways. This process is underway in NHS Highland.

Medications

The following medications have been approved by the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) to support weight management in NHS Scotland:

Liraglutide (Saxenda®)

Due to national shortages, NHS Highland is unable to start anyone on this medication.

Saxenda® is not recommended to be prescribed in NHS Highland for weight management.

Semaglutide (Wegovy®)

NHS Highland has accepted a formulary submission for this medication and it will become available once local clinical pathways are in place.

Until these pathways have been developed, Wegovy® is not recommended to be prescribed in NHS Highland for weight management.

Tirzepatide (Mounjaro®)

There has been no request to add this medication to the Highland Formulary at this time. Once a clinical pathway has been set up for prescribing these medications, this will enable a formulary submission to be submitted and assessed.

Tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) is not recommended to be prescribed in NHS Highland for weight management.

Last updated: 24 September 2024

Next review date: 24 March 2025