Weight-loss drug only available with private healthcare - HSC

It spoke out in response to UK reports that the drug, or substances claiming to be in it, are being sold on the black market.

The drug works by increasing the levels of incretins – hormones – which are naturally produced by the stomach when people eat.

Initially used by diabetics to help the body to produce more insulin when needed, it has become popular as a weight loss option as it slows down how quickly food is digested.

The latter effect led to shortages of the drug and last summer local doctors and pharmacies were asked to suspend prescribing and dispensing semaglutide for weight loss.

Prescribing adviser Geraldine O’Riordan confirmed semaglutide was not currently available at public expense for weight management, so local doctors must not prescribe it for that.

‘However, it is available legally on private prescription for weight management in Guernsey,’ she said. ‘HSC has no visibility of private prescribing, if indeed this is taking place.’

However, the Guernsey Press understands that private prescribing of the drug for weight loss is taking place locally in more than one location.

One is First Contact Health. Dr Ranjan Vhadra from FCH said obesity was a significant problem among the population.

‘Effective treatment and management of obesity are crucial to improving individual health and alleviating the burden on our public health system,’ he said.

‘Semaglutides are indeed a game-changer for individuals struggling with weight issues.’

He stressed that the drug, which can have serious side effects, must be sourced from reputable healthcare providers such as First Contact Health, which has set up a programme to provide the substance.

Ms O’Riordan said that in March the UK Department of Health and Social Care issued a revised medicine supply notification, which meant semaglutide can effectively only be prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes.

She said it was not clear what the current state of supplies was locally.

‘Stock shortages can and do change on a daily basis,’ she said.

‘The Prescribing Support Unit does not have capacity to monitor and hold pharmacy stock information. The pharmacies are private businesses and do an excellent job on managing the frequent stock shortages.’

In the UK it is being reported that substances claiming to be semaglutide were being sold on social media sites or beauty businesses.

‘We are not aware of illicit supplies in Guernsey, but they are an increasing problem in the UK,’ said Ms O’Riordan. ‘Any prescribing must remain private for now.

‘Semaglutide has multiple side effects, some of which can be very serious, especially in the early weeks and months of treatment.

‘For this and other multiple other reasons, it should be prescribed only by an appropriate prescriber and dispensed by a registered pharmacy.’