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Isles Top Scotland in Weight Loss Drug Prescriptions
29 Oct
Summary
- Western Isles prescribed weight loss drugs at three times Scotland's rate.
- Significant variations exist in access to new medicines across health boards.
- GLP-1 medications showed the largest geographic prescribing variation.
In Scotland, NHS Western Isles has seen a surge in prescriptions for weight loss and diabetes medications, with rates nearly three times higher than any other health board. A recent report by the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry (ABPI) revealed considerable disparities in prescribing new medicines, including those for cardiovascular disease, across Scotland's health boards.
The most pronounced difference was observed in access to GLP-1 medications, commonly used for type 2 diabetes and approved for weight management in 2023. Data from June to August 2025 showed NHS Western Isles with the highest prescribing rate per capita (1,086.54), far exceeding NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde (392.97) and NHS Shetland (100.31).
While acknowledging data limitations due to small island populations, the ABPI noted that better planning could reduce inequalities. The Scottish government stated it would consider the report's findings as part of its ongoing health board reforms aimed at improving equity and reducing unwarranted variation.
NHS Western Isles attributes its high prescribing rates to an early, structured pathway for GLP-1 access and local clinical need, reporting significant patient benefits. Separately, the report also highlighted eight-to-10-fold differences in prescribing rates for certain cardiovascular disease medicines between Highland and Forth Valley health boards.
