College responds to new guidance on patient aftercare for weight loss medication

Responding to newly issued guidance from NICE, detailing the aftercare patients need once prescribed weight loss medication, Professor Kamila Hawthorne, Chair of RCGP, said:

“There is no one-size fits all approach to tackling obesity - what works for one patient will likely not work for another, and as with any medication, weight-loss drugs do not come without risk. It’s also the case that patients will likely need support to sustain their weight loss once they stop taking the medication.

“As such, this is important and sensible guidance from NICE. As a College we’ve been clear that whilst weight loss medications have significant potential benefits for patients who are struggling to lose weight, they mustn’t be seen as a ‘silver bullet’, and ensuring access to sufficient ‘wraparound’ services – particularly for when patients come off their medication – will be key to optimal health outcomes.

“It’s vital that the roll out of weight loss medications as a treatment for obesity does not come at the expense of other weight loss services – both for patients for whom medication is not a suitable option or who don’t want to engage with a pharmacological intervention, and for those coming off medication who need support sustaining their weight loss. We also need to see a greater focus on prevention, stopping people becoming overweight in the first place so they don’t require a medical intervention later.” 

Further information

RCGP press office: 0203 188 7659
press@rcgp.org.uk

Notes to editors

The Royal College of General Practitioners is a network of more than 54,000 family doctors working to improve care for patients. We work to encourage and maintain the highest standards of general medical practice and act as the voice of GPs on education, training, research and clinical standards.