Tirzepatide – also known by its brand name Mounjaro – has been prescribed for severely obese patients in the UK since June, with around 220,000 people with the “greatest need” set to receive it over the next three years.
It is seen by the NHS as an additional tool to tackle the country’s growing obesity rate and reduce the overall workload on the health service.
However, senior doctors and pharmacists have warned that there is severe inequality within London when it comes to accessing weight loss drugs.
Ms Norton also told the health committee: “There is a lack of consistency across London, England and the UK – there is a postcode lottery with weight management services.”
She added that there was “a huge increase” in referrals.
“We need some degree of consistency across London so patients can get away from the postcode lottery.
“It’s becoming a difficult clinical environment because there is such a gap between what patients understand, what they want and what is available.
“Many patients are also self-funding, so inequality is growing.”