Obesity drug use rockets

THE number of obesity drugs prescribed in the Lothians has increased to almost 12,000 a year.

Figures released yesterday show that nearly 500,000 was spent administering various weight-loss drugs by NHS Lothian as the area battles against an obesity timebomb.

While it is a rise of 1,500 in the space of 12 months, it compares with merely 200 tablets prescribed by GPs in 1999.

The statistics were released by ISD Scotland, the official gatherer of health data in the country.

Public health minister Shona Robison said: "Any decision about prescribing a weight-loss drug is a clinical judgement made between a doctor and their patients.

"The Scottish Government have a range of initiatives under way to improve diet, increase physical activity and tackle unhealthy weight."