Over the past year, weight loss injections have become one of the most talked-about health trends. Almost everyone knows someone who has tried them, and whether you see them as a game-changer or a controversial quick fix, there’s no denying they’re here to stay.
To cut through the noise, we spoke with Evermore Pharmacy, one of the North West’s leading private clinics, to get expert insight into the treatment and to understand the impact of the recent price hike.
Thanks for taking the time to talk to us Dale. Please can you tell us a bit about you & Evermore?
I’m Dale and I run Evermore Pharmacy. We are based in the North West but we look after people all over the country. For us it is about making healthcare feel personal and supportive rather than just transactional.
I qualified as a pharmacist in 2014 and since then I have always tried to push pharmacy beyond the traditional model. During the pandemic everything changed I worked flat out on vaccinations and ended up setting up the busiest community vaccination centre in the region. That really showed me how powerful pharmacy can be when it is done differently and from then I created Evermore Pharmacy. Along the way I qualified in Clinically Enhanced Prescribing at UCL, gained a genomics qualification through Harvard Medical School and completed a diploma in nutrition. That lets me look at patients as whole people, not just a single condition.
I wanted to reimagine what a community pharmacy could feel like – more welcoming, more personal, more like a spa than a chemist. Evermore is around patients and their individual needs, not just prescriptions, which has led to our success.
What treatments do you offer at Evermore?
The main thing people come to us for right now is weight loss injections like Wegovy and Mounjaro. We also do travel vaccines, blood tests, HRT and skin treatments, but the injections are what everyone is talking about. And the truth is most of our team are on them as well, so we know first-hand what they are like.
How long have you been prescribing weight loss treatment, and how have your customers found it?
We have been prescribing Wegovy and Mounjaro for many years and the difference people feel is incredible. Patients often say the noise around food is quieter and they finally feel in control. Even in our own team we have seen the same!
What is the main reason in your experience that more and more people are going on the injections?
It depends on the person. Some want a quick kickstart to start their health and weightloss journey and Wegovy works well for that. Others are thinking long term and Mounjaro can be a game changer there. At the end of the day people just want to feel better in themselves and we see that both with patients and with our own staff. It gives people more energy, confidence and freedom in day to day life. We have also seen it encourages a more positive relationship around food and healthier habits like exercise and mental wellbeing.
Can you talk us through how the drug works, what is the best way to get the best results and how long a person should be on it for?
They calm your appetite and help you feel full faster. Wegovy and Mounjaro both do that, but in slightly different ways. The best results come when you use the medicine as a tool alongside everyday habits like eating protein, moving more and getting proper sleep. That is what we tell our patients, and it is what we do ourselves
Are there any side effects people need to be aware of?
The most common ones are nausea or constipation at the start. It usually passes once the body adjusts. One thing that is important is that people still eat protein and get their nutrients, which will help their journey. Because many of us have used them, we can give people really practical tips that work in real life.
Is one brand more effective than the others?
It is not one size fits all. Wegovy is brilliant for many people who are starting out, while Mounjaro often suits people who need stronger appetite control or have more weight to lose. We have seen both work really well for patients and for our team; it really depends on the individual.
Where do you see this industry in 12 months time & do you think there will be another price increase?
It is only going to get bigger. People are realising Wegovy and Mounjaro are not fads but tools that can change lives. Prices are set by the manufacturers, so it is difficult to predict, but whatever happens, we will always be upfront and keep things as fair as possible.
For anyone wanting more information, the best first step is to contact Evermores Vitality Concierge Damian on 07538825028. He is trained to give advice and guide people through their options.
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