A report from the Association of the British Pharmaceutical Industry examined prescribing patterns across Scotland’s health boards for newly approved medications between September 2020 and August 2025. The analysis revealed substantial geographic differences in access to various treatments, with the most pronounced variation occurring in prescriptions for GLP-1 medications, which treat type 2 diabetes and were approved for weight management in 2023.
NHS Western Isles recorded the highest prescribing rate for GLP-1 drugs at 1,086.54 per head of population during the June to August 2025 period, followed by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde at 392.97, while NHS Shetland had the lowest rate at 100.31. The report noted limitations to this data, acknowledging that small island populations can experience significant fluctuations from individual prescriptions. The analysis did not distinguish between prescriptions issued for diabetes versus weight loss purposes. According to separate information obtained by BBC Scotland News, NHS Western Isles has the highest number of patients receiving weight loss medication at 340 individuals across participating health boards.
NHS Western Isles stated it established a structured access pathway for GLP-1 medications earlier than any other Scottish health board and attributed its higher prescribing rates to early implementation and local clinical need. The board reported that patients were experiencing significant clinical benefits from these medicines as part of broader dietetic-led programs supporting lifestyle changes.
The report also examined prescribing variation for cardiovascular medications, finding that rates for non-statin low-density lipoprotein-lowering medicines differed eight-to-10-fold between the highest-prescribing board, Highland, and the lowest-prescribing board, Forth Valley. The ABPI made seven recommendations including improved planning, greater cooperation among health boards, and increased transparency regarding local medicine selection decisions. The Scottish government indicated it would carefully review the findings as part of ongoing health board reforms intended to reduce access inequalities and bureaucratic barriers.
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