Request

" I am a retired NHS Data analyst and am interested in following the uptake and impact of weight loss drugs (Liraglutide, Semaglutide and Tirzepatide) in Scotland over time.  I am able to access drug prescriptions in the community by prescriber location (i.e. vis https://www.opendata.nhs.scot/dataset/prescriptions-in-the-community/resource/d1fbede3-98c4-436e-9e75-2ed807a36075) but am unsure as to whether this contains an accurate record.  The reason I am unsure is that in order to access these drugs it appears that patients need to be seen by a weight management service and I am not sure whether these patients will be provided with drugs directly from a hospital pharmacy.

 The questions I want answered is:

  • Will prescriptions for patients seen via a weight management service also show

up in the prescriptions in the community by prescriber location data I am accessing.”

Last updated: 21 January 2025