Unemployed individuals will be provided with weight-loss injections as part of a trial to help them re-enter the workforce. The UK’s life sciences sector is set to receive a significant investment of £279 million from pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly to focus on developing new medications and delivery methods for treatments. The CEO of the NHS, Amanda Pritchard, has praised weight-loss drugs as game-changers in aiding individuals to reduce their risk of life-threatening conditions.
Obesity is identified as the second-largest preventable cause of cancer and a significant contributor to poor health that hinders people from fully engaging in work. The government emphasizes the importance of addressing obesity, as it currently costs the NHS over £11 billion annually, surpassing the costs associated with smoking. Excess weight is linked to serious conditions such as diabetes, heart attacks, and strokes.
The new trial will assess the impact of the drug tirzepatide, marketed by Lilly as Mounjaro, on unemployment, productivity, and NHS dependence. Mounjaro is a weekly injectable pen that aids in weight loss by regulating blood sugar levels, balancing energy, reducing appetite, and preventing cravings. While the drug is currently used to treat type 2 diabetes, a consultation is underway to explore its potential as a weight loss medication on the NHS.
Approximately 3,000 obese patients will be recruited for a five-year study to determine whether the medication can enhance productivity and facilitate individuals’ return to work. The initiative aims to administer the Mounjaro jab to up to a quarter of a million people over the next three years, starting with those with severe obesity and multiple weight-related health conditions.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting highlights the importance of partnership between scientific expertise and the NHS to revolutionize medical science and benefit patients. He envisions this collaboration as a means to establish the UK as a leader in life sciences, providing life-changing treatments to NHS patients. Ms. Pritchard echoes the sentiment, emphasizing the significance of weight-loss drugs in addressing obesity and reducing the risk of diabetes, heart attacks, and strokes.
The initiative not only aims to support individuals in losing weight but also to alleviate the burden on the NHS by preventing obesity-related health issues. By gaining a better understanding of the benefits of weight management interventions and their delivery, the UK can progress towards a healthier society and economy while ensuring the NHS remains sustainable for the future. Streeting emphasizes the transformative potential of such partnerships in fostering a healthier society and economy, positioning the NHS to meet the evolving healthcare needs of the population.
