Health bosses urging people not to ring GPs about weight loss jabs
Some medical practices are being inundated with calls now Mounjaro is available on the NHS
People in North Lincolnshire and Yorkshire are being asked not to contact their GP if they're wanting the so-called 'skinny jab'.
It's as some medical practices are being inundated with calls about Mounjaro now that it's available on the NHS.
The team at Humber and North Yorkshire ICB say they're only in the process of rolling out the service, "You cannot access these medicines, yet," said Laura Angus, Chief Pharmacist at the ICB.
"We are in the process of rolling out a community based weight management service.
"We are asking the public and patients not to contact their GP practices to obtain these medicines.
"At this time, they're not allowed to currently prescribe it on the NHS."
Mounjaro is an antidiabetic drug which lowers blood sugar levels and and slows down how quickly food is digested.
The mass rollout of weight loss jabs on the NHS in England began on Monday 23 June.
"It's not a miracle cure, and people still have to commit to lifestyle changes - healthy diet, exercise, " said Laura.
"This medicine just makes it easier to stick to a healthy eating plan, and you'll receive advice and support on diet and exercise if you get it via the NHS."
In this first year, the drug will be offered to people with a body mass index (BMI) score of over 40 who have at least four other health problems linked to obesity.
These include type 2 diabetes; high blood pressure; heart disease; and obstructive sleep apnoea.
Estimates suggest around 1.5 million people in the UK are already taking weight loss drugs, which may have been prescribed through specialist weight loss services or via privately.
"We will be requiring all first time appointments to be face to face appointments," said Laura.
"If you do get these medicines privately, we urge you to only get them from a registered healthcare professional."