Please note the Weight Management Service is not able to accept referrals for Obesity Management Medicines at this time. We apologise this is taking so long but please be reassured NHS Lothian are working hard to bring these medicines to patients.
NHS Lothian have a short life working group currently developing the pathway and once agreed we can start a phased roll out.
Three medicines are approved for use in NHS Scotland for managing weight in the treatment of obesity:
Liraglutide (Saxenda®)
Semaglutide (Wegovy®)
Tirzepatide (Mounjaro®)
In February 2025, these medicines were added to the East Region Formulary for the prescription in NHS Lothian.
The Scottish Government has issued a consensus statement advising on national eligibility criteria for NHS in Scotland and to consider a phased implementation of the medicines:
NHS Lothian is considering a phased roll out of these medicines for weight management in line with Scottish Government guidance. We are actively developing clinical pathways to ensure safe prescribing and monitoring. Updates will be shared once these clinical pathways have been agreed in NHS Lothian.
Until these pathways are in place, the Weight Management service is unable to accept referrals for the initiation of these medicines.
Please keep checking this page for updates on the pathway.
Recent Headlines
- December 2025 – The FDA approved the daily oral Wegovy®/semaglutide pill for obesity management in the US. Please note this has not yet been approved in the UK.
- September 2025 – If you have been affected by the price increase of Mounjaro®/tirzepatide we would recommend you contact your private prescriber in the first instance to discuss your options as we cannot advise on your private prescription. They will be able to advise on switching to alternative medicines if you are looking to consider this.
Diet & Lifestyle Advice for Obesity Medicines
If you are currently purchasing these medicines and looking for evidence-based diet and lifestyle advice to support this, please see the below links:
NHS Lothian Obesity Management Medications Advice Leaflet.
GLP-1 medicines for weight loss and diabetes: what you need to know – GOV.UK
NHS Inform – Diet and physical activity tips whilst taking weight loss medication
Weight Management Advice
If you wish to consider lifestyle advice in the meantime you can find more information about our other programmes and referral forms on our web page:-
Adult Weight Management and Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Service – NHS Lothian | Our Service
Adult Weight Management and Type 2 Diabetes Prevention Team
Woodlands House, Astley Ainslie Hospital, 74 Canaan Lane, Edinburgh, EH9 2TB
E-mail: loth.weightmanagement@nhs.scot
Telephone: 0131 537 9169
