Weight-loss jab 'important for economy so people can get back into work', says PM

The Prime Minister said the anti-obesity medication could help people "get back into work" and reduce pressure on the NHS, while Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer said it could also help ease pressure on the health service

The Prime Minister said new weight-loss injections could boost the British economy by helping people back into work".

Sir Keir Starmer believes they could also alleviate strain on the NHS. Following Health Secretary Wes Streeting's suggestion that the anti-obesity jabs might be offered to unemployed individuals to aid their re-entry into the workforce, the PM said in an interview on BBC Breakfast: "I think these drugs could be very important for our economy and for health."

"This drug will be very helpful to people who want to lose weight, need to lose weight, very important for the economy so people can get back into work. Very important for the NHS because, as I’ve said time and again, yes, we need more money for our NHS, but we’ve got to think differently. We’ve got to reduce the pressure on the NHS. So this will help in all of those areas."

In an article in the The Telegraph newspaper, Mr Streeting wrote: "Our widening waistbands are also placing significant burden on our health service, costing the NHS £11 billion a year – even more than smoking. And it’s holding back our economy. Illness caused by obesity causes people to take an extra four sick days a year on average, while many others are forced out of work altogether."

These comments come amid announcements of upcoming real-world trials to study the effects of weight-loss injections on unemployment rates. Researchers are set to look into the "real-world effectiveness" of the anti-obesity treatment Mounjaro, also known as tirzepatide, over an extensive five-year study.

The collaboration between Health Innovation Manchester and Lilly – the pharmaceutical giant – aims to look closely at the drug's influence on weight loss, diabetes prevention, staving off obesity-related complications, and its effects on NHS resource utilisation. Additionally, the research will explore if the medication can decrease unemployment due to health issues and cut down on sick leave among workers.

Experts anticipate that the findings from the Greater Manchester trial could "potentially inform the UK’s care-pathway approach to the treatment of obesity". Mounjaro, amanufactured by Lily, has been hailed as the "King Kong" of weight-loss injections following a study that showed participants, who also received lifestyle change support, shed an average of 21% of their body weight across 36 weeks.

With NHS chiefs predicting a surge in demand, the distribution of Mounjaro across England is expected to be phased. Projections suggest that nearly a quarter-of-a-million individuals might benefit from the jab in the coming three years.

NHS strategists recommend prioritising those who stand to gain the most clinically from the drug, which will come with a comprehensive "wraparound package" of dietary and exercise guidance. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) is set to publish its final guidance on Mounjaro and obesity later this year.

Mounjaro belongs to the glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist family, a group of drugs that help manage blood sugar levels and are used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity. Other GLP-1 agonists include semaglutide, which is marketed under brand names such as Wegovy, Ozempic, and Rybelsus. T

These medications have experienced several supply issues in recent months.In his letter, the Health Secretary said: “The long-term benefits of these drugs could be monumental in our approach to tackling obesity. For many people, these weight-loss jabs will be life-changing, help them get back to work, and ease the demands on our NHS.”

A recent report by the NHS Confederation and the Boston Consulting Group has shed light on the concerning rise in economic inactivity in the UK, which has increased by 900,000 since 2020, with 85% attributed to long-term sickness. The report identifies two primary age groups contributing to the surge in long-term sickness and economic inactivity: 18 to 24-year-olds and 50 to 64-year-olds, with the latter accounting for 55% of all inactive long-term sick individuals.

Both demographics have seen a significant increase in reports of multiple health conditions. Musculoskeletal (MSK) and mental health issues are the most common conditions among those who are long-term sick and economically inactive, making up approximately 50% of all reported cases.

Mr Streeting insisted that individuals must take "healthy living more seriously", warning that the "NHS can’t be expected to always pick up the tab for unhealthy lifestyles". Anti-obesity drugs are generally prescribed alongside advice on lifestyle and dietary changes.

According to the latest Health Survey for England, as of 2022, 29% of adults were clinically obese, and 64% were overweight or affected by obesity. Government stats reveal that obesity has an enormous financial impact on the NHS, with costs around £6.5bn annually, and it stands as the second largest preventable cause of cancer.

Furthermore, obesity is also linked to type 2 diabetes, with the NHS spending about £10 billion per year – nearly 9% of its budget – treating diabetic patients.