Starmer hints at weight loss jabs in pharmacies during NHS 10-year speech

Starmer hints at weight loss jabs in pharmacies during NHS 10-year speech

The prime minister Keir Starmer has raised the possibility that community pharmacies will provide so-called ‘skinny’ jabs by suggesting Labour has “a strong focus” on getting them to roll out “innovative weight loss services”.

In his speech on the Government’s long-awaited 10-year NHS plan today, Starmer reiterated its determination to move care out of hospitals and into local communities and prevent disease.

As far as community pharmacy is concerned, the plan made for interesting reading in its desire to make pharmacies part of a new neighbourhood health service and expand their role in the management of long-term conditions.

The plan also said Labour wanted to “expand access to weight loss medicines through the NHS”. However, in May, the chief pharmaceutical officer for England David Webb played down the prospect of pharmacies imminently providing weight loss injections on prescription, suggesting they would initially be rolled out through general practice.

Starmer appearing to contradict chief pharmaceutical officer on weight loss jabs

Starmer appeared to contradict Webb when he said: “We will shift the NHS away from being only a sickness service to a health service that is genuinely preventative in the first place, prevents disease in the first place.  

“That means a stronger focus on vaccination, on screening, early diagnosis. Things like innovative weight loss services – available in pharmacies.”

Independent Community Pharmacist has contacted the Department of Health and Social Care for clarification on Starmer’s comments.

Labour’s plan also laid out its ambition to increase uptake of human papillomavirus vaccinations among school leavers and roll out lung cancer screening across the country for smokers.

The plan also said neighbourhood health centres, which will bring together multidisciplinary teams 12 hours a day, six days a week, will be established in communities and staffed by GPs, nurses, care workers, physios, mental health workers and employment advisors. Starmer added pharmacists to that list.

“Just imagine nurses, doctors, pharmacists, dentists, carers, health visitors all under one roof,” he said. “But also, services like debt advice, employment support, smoking cessation, preventative services which we know are so crucial for a healthy life.”

Meanwhile, the Proprietary Association of Great Britain (PAGB) said it welcomed the Government’s recognition of the role over-the-counter medicines “play in the prevention of illness”.

PAGB CEO Michelle Riddalls said: “The 10-year health plan marks an important step forward in recognising the valuable role self-care plays within our healthcare system.

“At PAGB, we have long been advocating for measures to prioritise and promote self-care, engaging with Government and key stakeholders to provide insights, evidence and solutions to ease the burden on the NHS.

“We are particularly pleased to see that self-care is explicitly mentioned in the Plan and its principles woven throughout. It’s encouraging that the Government has clearly listened to the evidence and insights PAGB has provided through briefings, stakeholder engagement and parliamentary activity to ensure self-care is reflected in this vision for the future.”

 

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