Concerns about lack of support when buying weight loss jabs from private clinics
A woman from Stalybridge, who tried to wean off Mounjaro, says she wasn't given advice from the private chemist she bought them from
There are concerns about the lack of support when buying weight loss jabs from private clinics.
Around 1.5 million people are thought to be taking a weight loss jab in the UK.
Sherillee Jones is from Stalybridge and has been taking Mounjaro since last summer.
She successfully lost a few stone and decided to come off it, but because she got it privately, she was not eligible for NHS support.
Sherillee said: "I do feel we do need some sort of guidance and help along the way for when we come off it.
"I did try to come off it, so I weaned down, because that's how you should do it, and the first few weeks were fine, still had suppression, no food noise, but then I'd say around the fourth week, the food noise started to kick in again so I went back to my old eating habits.
"I've not really been told about coming off it, I've just weaned off it myself and done my own research.
"The chemist you buy from privately don't really indicate things like this, I think they just expect you to look at things.
"You can obviously go to your GP and I'm sure they'll advise you."
The NHS does offer support for those who are prescibed a weight loss jab through them and have been given more guidance on the level of wrap around care they should provide.
Professor Jonathan Benger, deputy chief executive and chief medical officer at NICE said:
“Successful weight management doesn’t end when medication stops or when someone completes a behavioural programme.
“We know that the transition period after treatment is crucial, and people need structured support to maintain the positive changes they’ve made.
“This new standard makes sure services provide that vital continuity of care, and it supports the NHS 10 Year Plan to shift from a ‘sickness service’ to a genuine health service focused on prevention.”
Under the new guidance, healthcare teams should monitor people for at least a year after they complete treatment and offer extra support if needed. This could include practical advice from programmes like NHS Better Health on changing daily habits or making adjustments at home or work to avoid slipping back.
Dr Rebecca Payne, Chair of NICE’s Quality Standards Advisory Committee said:
“Weight management is a long-term journey, not a short-term fix. The evidence is clear that advice and support for maintaining weight after stopping medicines or completing behavioural interventions can help prevent weight regain and enable people to experience lasting benefits.
“We’ve seen excellent examples of services that already provide comprehensive discharge planning and ongoing support. This quality standard will help ensure all healthcare providers adopt these best practices, giving every person the best chance of maintaining their weight management success over the long term.
“This standard ensures healthcare services are equipped to provide that essential ongoing support.”
A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said:
“Obesity is now one of the leading causes of ill health, costing the NHS billions. Yet we now have the science, technology, and knowledge to help tackle the obesity epidemic.
“As we shift our focus from treatment to prevention with our 10 Year Health Plan, we are determined to bring revolutionary modern treatments to everyone who needs them, not just those who can afford to pay.
“Patients receiving weight loss drugs on the NHS receive wraparound support covering diet, exercise and behaviour change, which will support them to maintain a healthy weight in the longer term.”