October 23rd 2024

By Ailsa Colquhoun

Experts warn of impact of new obesity drugs

The upcoming NICE approval of Tirzepatide for treatment of obesity is expected to place additional pressure on the NHS, the Obesity Health Alliance has warned in a new report.

 Treatment of Overweight and Obesity Position Statement & Evidence Review  concludes that the introduction of new obesity drugs is placing ‘immense pressure’ on already overstretched NHS services.

The report calls for urgent interventions to help clinicians prioritise access to weight-loss drugs.

Other recommendations include:

• New weight-loss support strategies tailored to groups that are traditionally underrepresented in existing services, including older men and individuals from ethnic minority backgrounds.
• A full review of existing NHS obesity services to identify current challenges and present an economic case for expanding access to treatment
• Comprehensive obesity treatment services to eliminate the current “postcode lottery”.

According to the OHA, currently, 4.1 million people in England are eligible for the weight-loss drug Wegovy. However, NHS projections estimate that by 2028, fewer than 50,000 people per year will receive treatment, even with new funding.  

Alfie Slade, government affairs lead at the Obesity Health Alliance, said:

“The new weight loss drugs represent a breakthrough in treatment… but they also expose the weaknesses in our current obesity services.”