In Great Britain, some people are able to get the injections on the NHS for weight management or to treat diabetes.
However, in Northern Ireland, only those with type 2 diabetes who meet certain criteria can access the drugs on the NHS. Others can access them privately via pharmacies if they medically qualify based on their body mass index (BMI) being over 30, which is considered obese.
Government guidance warns that the MHRA has not assessed the safety and effectiveness of GLP-1s being used outside of their licensed use, for example for weight loss in people who are not obese or overweight.
At Joanne McMullan’s weight-loss clinic at Portaferry Pharmacy, about 50 patients, aged between 18 to 75, are paying privately for weight loss injections. Mounjaro is the most popular drug issued at a cost of £200 to £300 per month.
McMullan, the National Pharmacy Association Board representative for Northern Ireland, said she had seen some positive effects.
“One lady lost over five stone to be able to have a knee replacement operation. People who were sedentary can now do exercise,” she said.
There are common side effects, she added – some people can feel bloated or uncomfortable while taking GLP-1s, but often say they can put up with it while Mounjaro commonly causes digestive issues when starting out or increasing a dose, which often subsides.
She does, however, warn patients to watch out for signs of something more serious, like gall bladder problems or pancreatitis.
“I am concerned about the longer-term side effects because we don’t yet have any data on people using them for many years,” she added.
“But for the people we are seeing who can now do a bit of exercise, they can walk, they feel they are getting their life back – at the moment, it does seem to be worth it for them.”