Weight loss drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic have been hailed worldwide as transformative in the fight against obesity. The UK government is looking to these drugs not only to improve individual health but also to boost public finances. Their plan? Help unemployed individuals shed pounds, rejoin the workforce, and reduce healthcare costs.
British Health Secretary Wes Streeting recently wrote in The Telegraph that for many, weight-loss injections can be “life-changing,” helping them return to work while alleviating pressure on the National Health Service (NHS). Streeting emphasized that obesity poses a “significant burden” on the health system, costing the NHS £11 billion annually and increasing sick days, which impacts the economy.
To address this, the government is funding a five-year trial of the weight loss drug Mounjaro, also known as tirzepatide. This initiative, in partnership with drug manufacturer Eli Lilly, will collect data on participants’ quality of life, employment status changes, and sick day usage. Despite this effort, some healthcare professionals have expressed concern, arguing that the country’s health system is already overwhelmed by the demand for new pharmaceutical treatments.
Experts emphasize that additional preventive measures to curb obesity are essential. According to the latest Health Survey for England (2022 data), 29% of adults and 15% of children aged 2 to 15 are classified as obese. The government identifies obesity as the second most common cause of preventable death in England after smoking, contributing to type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, dementia, liver disease, and several cancers.
Prime Minister Keir Starmer has urged his government to “think differently” to reduce the NHS’s burden, particularly amid staffing shortages and funding constraints. Starmer believes weight loss drugs could be part of the solution, but healthcare professionals argue for more comprehensive approaches.
“The idea that this is the solution to obesity is a complete fantasy,” said Alfred Slade, government affairs lead at the Obesity Health Alliance (OHA). Slade asserts that existing weight loss drugs like Wegovy are not scalable to meet the needs of millions due to limited NHS resources. According to OHA’s analysis, only a fraction of the estimated 4.1 million eligible people in England will be treated due to underfunding and staffing shortages.
Slade stressed that weight loss drugs should complement broader preventive measures. “We support these treatments for medically appropriate cases, but they cannot replace efforts to prevent obesity,” he stated.
The government plans to expand Mounjaro’s use to obesity patients alongside type 2 diabetes patients. Up to 250,000 people with the greatest need could receive the drug over the next three years. However, the OHA warns it remains unclear how the government will finance these prescriptions and associated support services, including dietary guidance and exercise programs.
Healthcare experts caution against linking weight loss treatments to economic factors, emphasizing clinical need. “Obesity management services should prioritize clinical need, not economic output,” wrote Jack Doughty of Diabetes UK.
The health ministry assured that the NHS will continue to treat patients based on medical need and not prioritize unemployed individuals. “This government is committed to tackling obesity by shifting focus to prevention within our 10-Year Health Plan,” a Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said, noting efforts to restrict junk food advertising and limit children’s access to fast food.
Experts argue that weight loss drugs address obesity symptoms but do not tackle root causes, such as the rise of processed foods and fast food consumption. Martin White, a population health expert at the University of Cambridge, emphasized that “obesity is a societal problem.” Strategies like taxing sugar-rich products, regulating food marketing to children, and serving healthier food in public and private institutions could be effective preventive measures.
Changing the food system is challenging, but addressing obesity, which affects roughly one-third of British adults, requires multifaceted solutions. “There is no such thing as a silver bullet for obesity,” noted the Obesity Health Alliance.
