Boots Launches In-Store Weight Loss Service Across 17 UK Locations

Boots has launched a pilot scheme to provide a private weight loss treatment service in 17 stores across the UK, marking the first high street pharmacy to offer in-person consultations for weight-loss injections. The service allows eligible customers to access weight loss treatment after a consultation with a pharmacist independent prescriber with specialist weight loss training, with follow-up appointments booked to review treatment.

The pilot scheme, which started this week, saw drugs including Wegovy and Mounjaro being prescribed to customers in 17 stores across Britain. Until now, almost all weight-loss prescriptions by Boots were issued after an online consultation, rather than face-to-face. This new scheme will see patients have a consultation in a private room where their medical history will be taken, and weight and height measured, to determine if they are eligible.

The move to in-store consultations follows safety concerns that people are lying about their weight or submitting fake photos to obtain the injections from some online pharmacies. Weight-loss injections, also known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, are a prescribed drug and to access them on the NHS a patient needs to have a BMI of 40 or more, but private providers offer them to those with a BMI over 30. As a result the demand for weight-loss jabs from private pharmacies has soared.

The new in-store weight loss treatment service supports the company's existing weight loss support provided by Boots Online Doctor. In-store customers will be signposted to this resource for wrap-around care, which includes a 10-week free weight loss programme, access to an app to track progress, and a free 12-month aftercare programme for customers who have stopped medication. The 10-week free weight loss programme is available free to all customers, whether they are accessing treatment from Boots or not.

Prices start at £99.97 for the lowest dose of Wegovy and £176.97 for the lowest dose of Mounjaro. The in-store service will offer access to the same treatment as the Boots Online Doctor service, and at the same price. Boots has been selling Wegovy, manufactured by Novo Nordisk, for three years. It also sells Mounjaro, which is offered on the NHS.

The service is available at stores including Nottingham Victoria Centre, Cardiff Queen Street, Durham Market Place, Belfast Donegal Place, Edinburgh Princes Street, Newcastle Sidgate, St Albans St Peters Street, London Liverpool Street Station, Leicester Fosse Park, Brighton North Street, London Piccadilly Circus, Dartford Blue Water, Altrincham Stamford Quarter, Chester-Le-Street, Middlesborough Nunthorpe, Bath Southgate Centre, and Lisburn Sprucefield.