Quarter of a million more Brits to be prescribed weight loss jabs free on the NHS in new drive to crush obesity crisis
A QUARTER of a million more Brits will be put on NHS fat jabs in the next three years under plans to crush England’s obesity crisis.
Super-strong tirzepatide, which can help slimmers lose a quarter of their body weight, is set to be rolled out to 1.6million people over the next 12 years.
Health chiefs are planning a splurge on the weight loss injections, which have previously been tightly controlled for only the most in need, and in short supply.
The most severely overweight will get the first prescriptions and then the NHS plans to work down through lower risk patients.
It could be prescribed online to avoid overwhelming GP surgeries.
The drugs mimic hormones that make you feel full, squashing your appetite so you eat fewer calories and lose weight rapidly.
This will be a powerful part of our arsenal to tackle obesity
Professor Sir Stephen Powis
Tirzepatide, known by brand name Mounjaro, is one of the most effective and costs about £122 per patient per month.
In a trial, users lost an average of 21 per cent of their body weight in nine months and 27 per cent after two years.
Professor Sir Stephen Powis, medical director for NHS England, said: “This drug will be a powerful part of our arsenal to tackle obesity.
“This phased rollout will ensure those with the greatest clinical need can access it as a priority.
“With the sheer number of people potentially eligible for these treatments and GP teams already delivering record numbers of appointments, the NHS is developing a range of community-based and digital services to provide weight loss drugs.”
Three in 10 adults in England – about 16million people – are obese and at higher risk of cancer, dementia and heart diseases.
The NHS’ plans to introduce the drug over a 12-year period have been floated in a consultation by spending watchdog the National Institutes of Health and Care Excellence.
They would begin by prescribing to people with a body mass index (BMI) higher than 40 and three or more related health problems.
NICE chief executive Dr Sam Roberts said: “Our independent committee found this medicine to be both effective and good value for money.
“Its use will help people living with obesity to lose weight, and as a result substantially reduce the risk that they will develop serious health problems.
“Because of the very large number of people who could potentially benefit, NICE accepts that a phased roll out is required.”
Everything you need to know about fat jabs
Weight loss jabs are a hot media topic at the moment, with hundreds of success stories from people who shed the pounds.
In March 2023, the NHS announced it would make Wegovy, a drug made by Danish firm Novo Nordisk, available on prescription to thousands of obese Brits.
It contains the drug semaglutide, which is said to have helped reality star Kim Kardashian and Twitter boss Elon Musk lose weight.
Wegovy, which helped a third of people reduce their weight by 20 per cent in trials, is now available from pharmacies like Boots.
How do they work?
The jabs work by suppressing your appetite, making you eat less and therefore lose weight.
To do this, semaglutide mimics the role of a natural hormone, called GLP-1.
GLP-1 is part of the signalling pathway that tells your body you have eaten, and prepares it to use the energy that comes from your food.
London GP and founder of wellgoodwellbeing.com, Dr Zoe Watson, said: “Your body naturally produces an appetite regulating hormone called glucagon-like peptide-1.
“These jabs work by regulating your appetite, which can lead to eating fewer calories and losing weight.”
Aren’t they diabetes drugs?
Semaglutide, the active drug in Wegovy, was originally sold under the name Ozempic specifically for diabetes patients.
But people started noticing it helped suppress their appetites, stopping them eating as much and helping them shed the pounds.
Novo Nordisk then developed Wegovy, which contains the same chemical but at higher doses specifically to aid weight loss.
Wegovy is not prescribed for diabetes patients.
Can I get them?
Wegovy is offered on prescription to obese adults given specialist weight loss treatment.
The NHS currently also offers a similar drug called Saxenda, or liraglutide.
Both are only available throught specialist weight management services, which means you have to be referred to clinics led by experts.
GPs can’t prescribe them on their own, Dr Watson said.
The jabs have to be taken as part of an overall programme to help with lifestyle changes and psychological support to get the best effect from the medication prescribed.
Despite being approved for use, supply has been constrained due to huge global demand.
Are there any risks?
Like all medicines, the jabs do not come without side effects.
Around half of people taking the drug experience gut issues, including sickness, bloating, acid reflux, constipation and diarrhoea.
Dr Sarah Jarvis, GP and clinical consultant at patient.info, said: “One of the more uncommon side effects is severe acute pancreatitis, which is extremely painful and happens to one in 500 people.”
Other uncommon side effects include altered taste, kidney problems, allergic reactions, gallbladder problems and hypoglycemia.
What other options are there?
Mounjaro (brand name for tirzepatide) also came onto the market in early 2024.
Like Wegovy, tirzepatide stems from a drug originally designed to treat diabetes.
The weekly injection helped overweight people drop more than two stone in 18 months.
It is available with to order with a prescription online from pharmacies including Superdrug and LloydsPharmacy Online Doctor.
It works in a similar way to Wegovy and Saxenda, but is more effective.
Dr Mitra Dutt from LloydsPharmacy says: “Based on clinical trials, 96 per cent of people were able to lose more than five per cent of their body fat using Mounjaro. In similar trials, 84 per cent of people lost more than five per cent of their body weight on Wegovy, and 60 per cent on Saxenda.
“Mounjaro works by activating two hormonal receptors (GIP and GLP-1), which enhance insulin production, improve insulin sensitivity, and work to decrease food intake.”