Written question WQ98447
- Asked by
- Rhys ab OwenIndependent
- To be answered by
- Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care
- Tabled
- Due
- Answered
- Time to answer
- 5 days
Question
What discussions has the Cabinet Secretary had with NHS Wales about the number of morbidly obsese patients with a high BMI not receiving their intramuscular injections into their muscle?
Answer
Answered by Cabinet Secretary for Health and Social Care
The successful administration of long-acting injectable medicines can be more challenging in people with a particularly high body mass index. Healthcare professionals administering these medicines should follow national guidelines on administration of oil-based depot and other long-acting intramuscular injections and any product specific instructions included in the manufacturer’s product information.
Some long-acting injectable medicines are supplied with specific needles as part of their marketing authorisation, and which will have been subject to rigorous licensing trials which included obese participants. In these cases, the manufacturer’s recommended needles should be used.
Treatment decisions including those regarding the appropriate selection of treatment, method of administration and assessment of effectiveness are matters for clinicians providing patients’ care.