More people in Bolton were prescribed the anti-obesity drug orlistat last year, new figures show.

It comes as the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recently approved the use of another weight loss drug, semaglutide, by NHS England.

Also known as Wegovy, it is said to be favoured by some celebrities.

And the appetite-suppressant drug will soon be available from high street pharmacies.

Wegovy was recently approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice), meaning thousands of obese people will be able to get it on the NHS.

The Bolton News:

Now, Superdrug say Wegovy is ‘coming soon’ on its website, and ASDA Online Doctor says it will be “available soon” as well.

The controversial appetite-suppressing drug is said to be used by celebrities to manage their weight. When asked about how he stayed slim and healthy, Twitter owner Elon Musk said his secret was fasting and Wegovy.

Currently, orlistat is the primary weight loss drug prescribed by the NHS and has been approved for use since 2010.

Orlistat, commonly sold under the brand name Xenical, is available on prescription from doctors, or can be bought at a pharmacy where it must be taken under the supervision of a pharmacist.

The tablet works by preventing around a third of fat from food being absorbed into the body.

Data from the NHS OpenPrescribing service shows 2,580 prescriptions for orlistat were handed out by GPs in the former NHS Bolton CCG area throughout 2022 at a total cost of £67,200 to the NHS.

It is up from 2,090 the year prior and up from pre-pandemic levels when 2,510 prescriptions were given in 2019.

Over the past five years, there were 11,810 prescriptions for orlistat in Bolton – costing the health service around £293,360.

Dr Stephen Liversedge, NHS Greater Manchester Integrated Care (Bolton), clinical director, primary care, and health improvement, said: “Although the number of Orlistat prescriptions increased in Bolton in 2022, they are similar to pre-pandemic levels and have decreased since 2015/16.

The Bolton News:

“This is reflected across Greater Manchester as we address treatment backlogs during the Covid restrictions.

“Obesity is a national issue which has an impact on people’s health in a variety of ways, and increases the risk of conditions such as diabetes, heart disease, some types of cancer and stroke.

“Orlistat is an approved NHS drug that can be prescribed by GPs, in conjunction with a balanced diet and exercise, for people with a high BMI (body mass index) who have made a significant effort to lose weight.

“It is not suitable for everyone and the best way to treat obesity is to eat a healthy diet and exercise regularly.

“The NHS offers a holistic range of support for people who are experiencing weight issues, including local weight management programmes, apps and counselling.”

Cllr Susan Baines, the council's executive cabinet member for health and wellbeing, said: "Obesity is defined as having a BMI of 30 or above.

"A BMI of between 25-30 is classified as being overweight.

"Obesity levels are increasing worldwide, and the reasons are multifactorial and include demographics, such as living in an area of deprivation, poverty, a lack of education or knowledge of what a healthy diet consists of and lifestyle choices such eating too many convenience/fast foods.

"A lack of exercise and ethnicity can also be factors. Some would say obesity is a socially constructed phenomenon because of our changing society.

"The Health Survey for England 2021 estimated that 25.9 per cent of all adults in England are classified as obese, with 2/3rds of the population classified as overweight.

"Obesity has many negative effects on your life, for example, you are more likely to suffer from heart disease, high blood pressure, diabetes, and muscle and joint problems.

"The risk of getting certain cancers is also increased and therefore mortality is higher.

"Being obese can also affect your mental health and a study by Kurhe et al in 2015 linked obesity with depression.

"Other studies link it with eating disorders and Anorexia and obese adults are 70 per cent more likely to develop more serious mental disorders.

"Public health recognise that being overweight or obese in childhood can lead to it continuing in adulthood.

"The National Child Measurement Programme (NCMP) report that 22.6 per cent of 4-5 year old are obese.

"The bottom line is that Obesity places a huge strain on the NHS and a recent report by the ONS (2019-2020) found that one million hospital admissions in England were linked to Obesity, an increase of 17 per cent compared to the previous year.

"We in Bolton are classified as a deprived borough and our rates of obesity are high."

The Obesity Health Alliance, which welcomed the approval of semaglutide, said drugs alone will not be the answer to the UK’s extremely high levels of excess weight.

A spokesperson for Obesity Health Alliance said: “We need to take action to ensure that as few people as possible reach the stage of needing pharmaceutical or surgical interventions.”

The OHA added the root cause of obesity must be tackled, including the level of unhealthy food and drink that is marketed and promoted.

Across England, about 360,000 prescriptions for orlistat were given by GPs in 2022.

It was an increase on the previous three years, but down from 2018’s figure of 370,000.

Overall, the weight loss drug prescriptions cost the health service £9.8 million last year.

Beat, a charity supporting those affected by eating disorders, warned the weight-loss medication can seem like a “quick fix”, but can have a devastating impact on people with eating disorders.

Tom Quinn, the charity's external affairs director, said healthcare professionals and weight management services must screen for eating disorders when considering a prescription for weight-loss medication.

Semaglutide, sold under the brand name Wegovy, will be made available in NHS specialist weight management service, and will be prescribed alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at NICE, said the drug is a “welcome option” for people who struggle to lose weight.

She said: “It won’t be available to everyone. Our committee has made specific recommendations to ensure it remains value for money for the taxpayer, and it can only be used for a maximum of two years.”

 

If you have a story or something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at chloe.wilson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @chloewjourno.