AQW 46261/22-27
Mr Stewart Dickson
Alliance Party
East Antrim
Tabled Date: 14/05/2026
Answered On Date: 03/06/2026
Priority Written: No
Question:
To ask the Minister of Health to detail (i) any assessment that has been made on the disparity in access to weight management medications, such as GLP-1 receptor agonists, between Northern Ireland and other parts of the UK; and (ii) any steps he is taking to address this.
Answer:
Obesity remains one of the most significant public health challenges facing Northern Ireland, with serious consequences for population health and growing pressure on our health and social care system. The Department is aware of the disparity in access to specialist weight management services and associated medications, including GLP-1 receptor agonists, between Northern Ireland and other parts of the UK. With regard to weight management medications, such as GLP-1 receptor agonists, the Department has a formal link with the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) under which NICE Technology Appraisals are reviewed locally for their legal and policy applicability here, and where found to be applicable, they are endorsed for implementation within Health and Social Care (HSC) organisations. NICE has published TA664 (liraglutide) and TA875 (semaglutide) which advises that these treatments are recommended as an option for weight management alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity in adults. NICE recommends that these treatments should only be prescribed within a specialist multidisciplinary weight management service (including but not limited to tiers 3 and 4). However, as Northern Ireland does not currently have a specialist weight management service and as such these treatments are not currently available within the HSC. NICE has also published TA1026 (tirzepatide) which advises that this treatment is recommended as an option for the management of obesity in people with a body mass index of more than 35 and at least one weight-related illness. As this represents a very large number of people, the guidance recommends that rollout will need to be carefully managed in a phased manner to ensure that healthcare professionals can continue to meet the full range of health needs for all their patients. To address this disparity, in May 2025, I announced my plans for the establishment of a Regional Obesity Management Service for Northern Ireland and work has been progressing to implement phase one. This phase will focus on the development of a community-based service where adult patients will have access to lifestyle support to ensure maximum effectiveness, as well as obesity management medication such as GLP-1 receptor agonists, if clinically appropriate. It is anticipated this phase will be operational later in 2026. Implementation of further phases of the new service will be subject to securing the necessary funding and service requirements including clinical capacity and specialist support.
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