Home / Health / Two-Tier Weight Loss Access Emerges in London
Two-Tier Weight Loss Access Emerges in London
31 Jul
Summary
- Unlicensed semaglutide product marketed in UK despite manufacturer warnings.
- London sees 'two-tier system' for weight loss drug access.
- US compounding scene is larger and has faced regulatory scrutiny.
The UK's private healthcare sector is increasingly offering weight loss drugs, leading to concerns about an emerging "two-tier system." This is particularly evident in London, where significantly more individuals are purchasing weight loss medications privately than accessing them through the NHS.
An unlicensed semaglutide-based product, administered under the tongue, is being marketed to private doctors in the UK. Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of branded semaglutide (Wegovy), has issued warnings about potential safety risks associated with such compounded products and does not condone mass compounding.
Compounded drugs are custom-made, unbranded medications. While the UK allows compounding for personalized regimens, mass compounding is not permitted, and sublingual semaglutide has not undergone regulatory approval for efficacy or safety through clinical trials.
In contrast, the US has a more extensive compounding market that has faced regulatory challenges. Telehealth companies in the US have previously exploited regulatory loopholes, prompting action from the FDA. Both Novo Nordisk and rival Eli Lilly have pursued legal action against companies involved in compounded weight loss products.
The global obesity market across seven major markets is forecasted to reach $173.5 billion by 2031, indicating substantial ongoing growth in this therapeutic area.
