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The London Assembly Health Committee said it is “vital” that patients can access weight-loss jabs from community pharmacies.
In a report published on 11 March 2026, the London Assembly Health Committee said that while it would like to see the availability of weight-loss drugs increased on the NHS, “the reality is that most people taking the drugs will continue to purchase them privately for the foreseeable future”.
“It is therefore vital that Londoners can access safe and effective treatment from pharmacies and other private providers, including online providers,” it added.
“This involves having robust safeguards in place to ensure that only those who are strictly eligible can purchase the medication, as well as the availability of comprehensive wraparound care to support patients.”
The committee also noted that while pharmacies offer wrap-around care to patients, this is not mandatory.
“Whilst we understand that providers cannot ‘force’ their patients to engage in wrap-around care, we believe that all providers should strongly encourage their patients to engage in wrap-around care and should clearly explain the benefits of this when prescribing the medication,” it said.
As a result, the committee recommended that the NHS develops a London-wide wrap-around care offer, which should be adaptable based on the patient and include both in-person and online options.
The committee also said it heard evidence from pharmacy bodies, including the Company Chemists’ Association (CCA) and National Pharmacy Association (NPA), on the greater role pharmacies can play in expanding NHS access to weight-loss jabs and alleviating pressures on the rest of the healthcare system.
It added that guests representing pharmacies highlighted their strengths, including their “inside knowledge” of their communities and their ease of access.
Commenting on the report, Malcolm Harrison, chief executive of the CCA, said: “The committee’s report is further evidence of the value of weight-loss medicines for eligible patients.
“Community pharmacies already play an important role in providing weight-loss treatments safely and effectively, both in-person and online, supported by established clinical pathways and strong patient safeguards.
“There is a clear opportunity for the government and NHS to build on this expertise and commission an NHS weight management service through community pharmacy. Expanding access in this way would not only help more patients receive support but would also help millions access it faster.”
The report also highlighted the rise in illicit markets and sales of unlicensed weight-loss drugs.
“People are acquiring them in locations, such as beauty salons and gyms, and on social media, while we even heard about people buying them in pubs and fish and chip shops,” it said.
“We recommend greater regulation and enforcement in this space. This will require significant collaboration across regulators and agencies, as well as regular monitoring of illegal channels, advertising and social media.”
Sukhi Basra, vice-chair of the NPA, said: “We were pleased that the committee listened to evidence provided by the NPA and others and have called for more robust action to tackle a growing black market for illicit medication.
“High demand for weight-loss medication, coupled with a very slow and cautious NHS roll out, has created the perfect storm for criminals who are running a growing black market selling counterfeit weight-loss medication.
“To help speed up the roll out and reach more patients as well as potentially limit opportunities for illicit sales, the government should use the extensive experience of pharmacists to become part of the NHS roll out of weight management treatments.”
In January 2026, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency said that weight-loss drugs were among almost 20 million doses of illegally traded medicines seized in 2025 by the agency’s Criminal Enforcement Unit, with a street value of around £45m.
