# NHS prescribing of Ozempic-style drugs varies tenfold across Scotland

- URL: https://talkfuse.com/story/scottish-patients-face-ozempic-postcode-lottery/
- Published: 2026-10-29T00:21:03+00:00
- Updated: 2026-10-29T00:32:49+00:00
- Original publisher: Daily Mail (publisher lean: Right)
- Original article: https://www.dailymail.com/news/article-16246871/Scottish-patients-face-Ozempic-postcode-lottery.html?ns_mchannel=rss&ns_campaign=1490&ito=1490
- Topics: Culture, Fashion, Health, Medicine, UK, World

## Key points

- Prescribing rates differ tenfold across Scottish health boards.
- Most NHS use is for type 2 diabetes.
- Obesity treatment remains limited on the NHS.

## Summary

A report has found that NHS prescribing of Ozempic-style medicines varies tenfold between Scottish health boards, raising concerns that access may depend on where patients live. The Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry says differences in patient need do not fully explain the gap and is calling for more co-ordinated implementation of medicines approved for NHS use.

The Western Isles had the highest recorded prescribing rate, while Shetland had the lowest; Greater Glasgow and Clyde also ranked highly despite having the second-lowest prevalence of overweight and obesity. The report says most NHS prescriptions are for type 2 diabetes, while obesity treatment remains more limited: 71 per cent of Scottish respondents who used weight-loss medication in the past year obtained it privately. Separately, just 705 people received weight-loss injections through NHS pilot schemes over three years.

---
Summarised by TalkFuse (https://talkfuse.com/). Quote the original publisher for the reporting and link this page for the summary and discussion.