Useful information

The practice receives a significant number of enquiries about weight loss injections. This page clarifies how these medications are currently being used within NHS Lothian, the practice policy on these drugs when accessed privately, and some important information about this treatment.

NHS Lothian Weight Management Services

The practice can support patients with weight loss through the existing channels but at the present time we cannot refer or prescribe weight loss injections.  These medications have recently been approved for use in Scotland for weight loss although this is with several restrictions.  At the present time they are not accessible solely for weight loss in Lothian, although work is underway to develop a service.  It is likely that, when it comes, access to these treatments on the NHS will be limited and this may well be through the specialist weight management service. We will update this page once more information is available.

Please follow this link for more information about NHS Lothian services.

Private provision of weight loss medication

Many patients are currently accessing these drugs privately.  The practice cannot advise on these treatments started elsewhere and nor are we able to issue any prescriptions.  It is important to remember that there are many reasons why patients should not take these medications and the private company will not have access to your NHS record.  Most private companies operate safely and take care to check your medical history thoroughly but it is important for you to make sure you are dealing with a regulated provider.

Many companies will write to us after prescribing you these medications but this does not mean we are checking or confirming your suitability for treatment. While we cannot advise on your suitability for these treatments we recommend patients request a summary of their medical history and a list of their current medications to share with private services to allow safe prescribing.

Information about these treatments

There are several drugs available for weight loss at present (for example Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro). These drugs are not new and have been in use for many years for the treatment of diabetes.  One of the major side effects was weight loss and after further study and approval they are now sold both for use in diabetes and as a weight loss treatment.

These drugs work by mimicking natural hormones that make you feel full and suppress your appetite.  They can help people lose weight but are expensive and only work while you are taking them.  Generally, the weight goes back on when you stop using the medication unless you have made permanent changes to your lifestyle.

These medications are generally safe but, as with any drug, there are some people who shouldn't take them.  There is also a long list of possible side effects which your private provider should inform you about.

Important medication interactions

Contraception

It is important to be aware of potential impacts on other treatments, in particular the impact on oral contraception and the risk of unintended pregnancy. Please see this helpful information leaflet on the effect these weight loss medications may have on contraception. This is particularly relevant to people taking Mounjaro.

Hormone Replacement Therapy (HRT)

Many women are prescribed oral progestogen medication (along with an estrogen) as part of Hormone Replacement Treatment.  Progestogens are available in various forms, including tablets, patches (sometimes combined with the estrogen) and the Mirena coil. Progestogens play a crucial role for women with a uterus (womb) by providing protection for the endometrium (the lining of the womb) and reducing the risk of endometrial cancer.  Any weight loss medications (Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro) can reduce the effectiveness of progestogens.  If you are taking weight loss medication and a progestogen-containing HRT, we recommended that you make a routine appointment with your usual GP or the Practice Pharmacist if you have not discussed this already.  

  For more information:

• NHS Inform has information about these medications available here
• NHS Lothian information on weight loss injections
• GLP-1 agonists and contraception - Patient information leaflet from the Faculty of Sexual & Reproductive Healthcare

Updated November 2025

When you consult a private specialist you should be aware of what may happen about medication you may need after the consultation. You may not always be able to obtain an NHS prescription for medication arising from a private consultation.

Guidance for NHS patients 

In March 2009, the Scottish Government published guidance for NHS patients who wish to pay for additional private care. The guidance includes the key points below:

• your NHS care will continue to be free of charge
• you can’t be asked to pay towards your NHS care, except where legislation allows charges, such as travel medicines
• the NHS cannot pay for or subsidise your privately funded care
• your privately funded care must be given separately, at a different time and place from your NHS Care

Independent Private Referral:

If you choose to refer yourself to a consultant independently of your GP for additional privately funded care (i.e. outside the NHS), whether in the UK or abroad, you are expected to pay the full cost of any treatment (including medication) you receive in relation to the package of care provided privately (including non-emergency complications).

Private referral through your GP:

After a private referral made by your GP, your private specialist may give you a prescription. You may only need one prescription. The prescription provided by your private specialist will be a private prescription and you must pay for the medication.

If you need continued treatment you may initially be given just one private prescription (which you will need to pay for) and advised to return to your GP to see if further NHS prescriptions can be provided.

There is no obligation, however, for your GP to accept the recommendation made to prescribe the treatment recommended by a private specialist. To judge your clinical need for the treatment including the reasons for the proposed medication, your GP must have received a full clinical report from the private specialist.

If your GP does not feel able to accept this responsibility, then the GPs may consider:

• Offering a referral to an NHS consultant to consider whether the recommended medication should be prescribed as part of on-going NHS funded treatment
• Asking the specialist to remain responsible for the treatment because of its specialist nature, and to provide further prescriptions, for which you will need to pay.
• Prescribing you an equivalent locally recommended medication, which should deliver a similar /identical benefit.

Only if your GP considers there is a clinical need for your medicine, and that an NHS patient would be treated in the same way, would an NHS prescription to continue your treatment be considered. If the recommendation from your private specialist is for treatment that is not in line with local policies, then your GP may change the medication in line with that used for NHS patients.

How much will a private prescription cost?

The cost of a private prescription is calculated depending on the medicine. There is considerable variation in the cost of medicines so it is wise to discuss the possible cost with your consultant as part of your treatment plan.

Any community pharmacy can supply and dispense your medication on private prescription. Some private hospitals have pharmacy departments that can dispense your private prescription.

The pharmacy will charge you for the full cost of your medication. They will also charge a professional fee for the process of obtaining, dispensing and checking your medicine. This may vary from pharmacy to pharmacy so you are entitled to ‘shop around’ before deciding where you would like your medicine to be dispensed.

From: NHS Prescribing and monitoring following private consultation, Review Date: June 2027