‘I started weight loss injections and some of the side effects hit hard’

Almost half of people who discontinue injectable weight-loss medicines cite cost or insurance barriers, new research has found.

International research led by Ulster University is exploring why some people stop taking injectable weight-loss medicines and what support could help patients use the treatments safely and successfully over the longer term.

Ahead of World Pharmacists Day tomorrow, researchers from Ulster University’s School of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences at the Coleraine campus are investigating the real-world experiences of people using weight-loss injections, including the challenges that can lead some patients to discontinue treatment.

Medicines such as GLP-1 receptor agonists have rapidly changed the treatment of obesity, but staying on treatment can present challenges for patients, including side effects, uncertainty about what to expect, the cost of medicines and difficulties accessing ongoing support.

The research comes as demand for weight-loss medicines continues to grow. A recent report from The Food Foundation estimates that up to eight million people in the UK are taking, have taken or are considering taking weight-loss medicines, while more than two million people have paid for prescriptions themselves.

Real-world evidence shows that around 50% of patients prescribed GLP-1s for obesity discontinue their treatment within the first 12 months. Among those who stop, financial barriers, including cost and insurance coverage, are reported as the leading reason, accounting for almost 48% of discontinuations, followed by gastrointestinal side effects at around 15% and supply shortages at 12%.

Sharing their experience of taking GLP-1 weight-loss medication, one person said: “When I started the injections, the weight came off, but some of the side effects hit hard. I didn’t know if what I was experiencing was normal or how long it would last, and without clear guidance on how to manage it, I was about to stop treatment early. Having a pharmacist talk me through what to expect would have helped.”

The findings highlight the importance of understanding what happens after a patient starts treatment and whether better support could help people manage challenges before they decide to stop.

Led by Dr Mohamed Elnaem, Lecturer in Clinical Pharmacy at Ulster University , the international research is being carried out through the University’s Global PharmEd Optimise Research Network, with collaborators across Northern Ireland, Turkey, Spain, Pakistan, Indonesia, Egypt and Jordan.

Dr Elnaem said: “Weight-loss injections are changing the way we approach obesity treatment, but prescribing a medicine is only part of the story.

“We need to understand what happens once people begin taking these medicines in their everyday lives, what challenges they face, why some people stop treatment, and what support they need to continue safely.

“Our research is about moving beyond the headlines and understanding the real experiences of patients. By working with researchers internationally, we can explore challenges that are shared across different healthcare systems and understand where experiences may differ between countries and communities.

“Ultimately, the solutions need to be tailored to the needs of individual patients and communities. We hope our research will help identify practical, evidence-based approaches that can improve how these medicines are used and the support available to people taking them.”

The researchers are particularly interested in how patients experience treatment outside clinical settings and the role that pharmacists and other healthcare professionals could play in supporting them.

Under the Global PharmEd Optimise Research Network includes research exploring the use of digital health and emerging technologies in healthcare, including artificial intelligence readiness.

Dr Elnaem said: “Digital health, artificial intelligence and other emerging technologies have the potential to bring healthcare and support closer to patients, particularly those who may face barriers to accessing traditional services.

“But we need to make sure these technologies are introduced safely, sustainably and based on evidence.

“That is why developing the next generation of pharmacists and researchers is also an important part of our work.”

The researchers hope their work will help bridge the gap between advances in medicines and patients’ everyday experiences, ensuring people receive not only the right treatment, but the right information and support to use it safely.

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