Home / Health / Obesity Drugs Offer Hope, but Long-Term Support Crucial
Obesity Drugs Offer Hope, but Long-Term Support Crucial
4 Aug
Summary
- 1.5 million Brits on weight loss jabs, mostly paying privately
- NHS offers Wegovy and Mounjaro, but with limitations
- Experts emphasize need for sustained behavioral changes
The UK is grappling with a growing obesity crisis, with around one in four adults in England affected as of 2025. In response, an estimated 1.5 million people are currently on weight loss jabs, though the vast majority are paying for them privately and will not be eligible for NHS support as they come off the treatment.
The NHS has made some progress, with the prescription drug Wegovy (semaglutide) now available to those most in need, and around 240,000 people expected to be offered Mounjaro (tirzepatide) over the next three years. However, these medications come with limitations, as Wegovy is only available for a two-year period, and there is no specified time limit for Mounjaro.
Experts emphasize that successful weight management goes beyond just medication. Prof. Jonathan Benger from NICE (the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence) notes that the transition period after treatment is crucial, and people need structured support to maintain the positive changes they've made. Prof. Kamila Hawthorn from the Royal College of GPs adds that there is no one-size-fits-all approach, and a greater focus on prevention is needed to stop people from becoming overweight in the first place.
The road to tackling the UK's obesity epidemic is a complex one, requiring a multifaceted approach that combines medical interventions with long-term behavioral changes and community-based support.
