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Prescriptions soar for 'skinny jab' diabetes drug in Ipswich and East Suffolk

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Prescriptions for semaglutide – dubbed the "skinny jab" – have more than doubled to 684 per month in Ipswich and East Suffolk, as health authorities introduce stricter rules for the diabetes drug's weight-loss use.

Why it matters: The significant increase reflects rising demand as national authorities work to prevent the misuse of the medications, which have gained popularity as weight-loss treatments.

By the numbers:

  • Monthly semaglutide prescriptions rose from 302 to 684 year-on-year

  • The alternative drug tirzepatide reached 896 prescriptions in November

  • Nationally, monthly semaglutide prescriptions increased to 124,000 from 103,000

Semaglutide, sold as Wegovy
Semaglutide, sold as Wegovy

For context: These figures show how many times the drugs appeared on prescriptions, rather than the number of patients receiving them.

The bigger picture: Last January, the UK Health Service Authority warned of potential shortages of semaglutide, sold as Wegovy or Ozempic, leading the NHS to offer tirzepatide (Mounjaro) as an alternative for diabetes patients.

How it works: Both medications:

  • Help the body produce more insulin

  • Reduce the amount of sugar produced by the body

  • Slow down digestion

Key context: While GPs can only prescribe these drugs for diabetes treatment, they can be obtained for obesity through specialist NHS weight loss services or private providers.

What they're saying: Professor Claire Anderson, president of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, said the rising demand reflects the drugs' effectiveness but warned that diabetes patients should "remain a priority" as weight-loss demand increases.

New regulations: The General Pharmaceutical Council has tightened online prescription criteria. Duncan Rudkin, the organisation's chief executive, said there have been "too many cases of medicines being supplied inappropriately online and putting people at risk".

The details: Under new rules, prescribers must independently verify a patient's weight, height and/or body mass index through:

  • Video consultation

  • In-person assessment

  • Clinical records

  • Contact with the patient's GP

Phone calls alone are not considered appropriate verification for weight loss prescriptions.

The bottom line: The NHS has urged online pharmacies to "act responsibly" when prescribing these medications, as their growing popularity for weight loss requires careful balance with the needs of diabetes patients.

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An award-winning local law firm

Rated as "Excellent" on Review Solicitors with an impressive 4.8/5 on Feefo.

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Fashion, food and music: Ipswich students celebrate their heritage at Culture Day

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BBC Radio Suffolk DJ and broadcaster Angelle Joseph praised One Sixth Form College's celebration of cultural diversity, saying it gives students the chance to "celebrate who they are and where they are from."

Why it matters: The fifth annual Culture Day at One Sixth Form College (ONE) brought together students, staff and local organisations to champion equality and celebrate the diverse backgrounds within the Ipswich community.

BBC Radio Suffolk DJ and broadcaster Angelle Joseph with Ellisha Soanes, an Eastern Education Group consultant
BBC Radio Suffolk DJ and broadcaster Angelle Joseph with Ellisha Soanes, an Eastern Education Group consultantEastern Education Group

Students and staff took to the catwalk in a fashion show wearing outfits representing their heritage, with music provided by Angelle Joseph, who also hosts BBC Introducing in Suffolk.

"It's a chance to celebrate the diversity of the college," said Joseph, attending the event for the third time. "People have travelled from all over the world and now live in Ipswich. It's a day where everyone can feel really proud and celebrate who they are and where they are from."

The bigger picture: Local organisations including Aspire Black Matters, Ipswich Museum, Job Centre Plus, Karmartri, Outreach Youth and Volunteering Matters supported the celebration.

Activities included Chinese health practices, while food sold on campus offered a selection of dishes from around the globe.

Cass and Lexie from One Sixth Form College
Cass and Lexie from One Sixth Form College helped organise the Culture DayEastern Education Group

What they're saying: Lexie Jordan, 17, from Ipswich, who helped organise the event, said: "It's all about embracing everyone's different cultures, recognising where everyone is from and understanding what that means to each person."

For A-level student Cass Herrieven, 17, from Leiston, the day had personal significance: "It's important for me as I'm half Portuguese and I've not got much of a chance to connect with that side of me – so having somewhere that is celebrating me and everyone else is pretty special."

Nyasha Mangoma, 17, from Ipswich, who took to the fashion catwalk representing black Britain alongside her mother Sharon representing Zimbabwe, added: "I think it is important to celebrate everyone's cultures especially when we live in such a culturally diverse area of England."

Nyasha Mangoma was representing black Britain during the One Sixth Form College culture day
Nyasha Mangoma was representing black Britain during the One Sixth Form College culture dayEastern Education Group

For context: Ivya Scott, a University of East Anglia student representing Suffolk Windrush, displayed quilts people had made relating to their history. She said: "This event is important as people get to know the contributions that people in their community have made to Ipswich, Suffolk and Britain."

Jackie Ellis, representing The Hive and The Ipswich Museum, said: "I think this event is very important as there is a diversity of different communities (here at ONE) and when people learn from other cultures, it empowers them to interact better and understand one another."

Ivya, a student from the University of East Anglia
Ivya, a student from the University of East Anglia, came along to talk about the Windrusg GenerationEastern Education Group

The bottom line: ONE Group Principal Jake Robson summarised the event's purpose: "This is our fifth annual Culture Day, a celebration of belonging. It brings our diverse community together, allowing everyone to embrace both their unique identities and shared experiences."

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