Variation in the Commissioning of Semaglutide for the Treatment of Obesity and Overweight Across England: Results of Three Freedom of Information-Based Mapping Exercises Across the 42 Integrated Care Boards of England.

Abstract

Obesity medications are recommended in England with legislation necessitating their availability. However, given the number of people who meet clinically approved eligibility criteria, funding these medications and associated support services may limit efficacy at a population health level. This study aimed to assess the commissioning and availability of services and obesity medications across England. Three sets of freedom of information requests were sent to the 42 ICBs in England by Sky News Ltd, The BMJ and the study investigators of this work with questions focused on commissioning of services and medication eligibility and prescription across England. The three data sets were combined to provide a narrative description to inform further development in obesity care. The availability of services across England was partial, and when services did exist, medication access was limited by funding and more restrictive eligibility criteria beyond those approved by the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence. Subsequently, very few patients receive NHS prescriptions even in areas where funding medications are reportedly available. The capacity of services to offer comprehensive care for patients to receive obesity medications is insufficient to meet current demand. Despite legislation for the delivery of obesity medications, these treatment options are not widely available on the NHS. There is insufficient service capacity to provide comprehensive care for eligible patients seeking obesity medications as a treatment option.