Proposals to give weight loss jabs to unemployed people living with obesity could be “very important” for our economy and health, the prime minister has told the BBC.
Sir Keir Starmer said while he acknowledged that more money was needed for the NHS the government also needed to “think differently” to ease pressure on the health system.
His comments came after Health Secretary Wes Streeting said these jabs could be given to help people get back into work.
Some injections are already prescribed on the NHS for the treatment of obesity, and also for people with diabetes.
Sir Keir told BBC News the jabs would be “very helpful” to people who want and need to lose weight.
“[The drug is] very important for our NHS, because, yes we need more money for the NHS, but we’ve also got to think differently”.
Streeting suggested the medicines could be “life changing” for individuals.
His interview followed Streeting’s opinion piece for the Telegraph, where the health secretary wrote: “widening waistbands are also placing significant burden on our health service.”
“The long-term benefits of these drugs could be monumental in our approach to tackling obesity.”
Illnesses relating to obesity cost the NHS £11bn a year, Streeting said.
His words came as the government announced a £279m investment from Lilly, the world’s largest pharmaceutical company, at an international investment summit hosted by Sir Keir.
The plans announced at the summit will include real-world trials of weight-loss jabs’ impact on worklessness, the Telegraph reported.
A five-year study by Health Innovation Manchester and Lilly will examine whether being put on the drug Mounjaro, will reduce worklessness and the impact on NHS service use, and will take place in Greater Manchester.
NHS officials have suggested the roll-out of the drug across England will need to be staggered due to anticipated high levels of demand.
Nearly 250,000 people are expected to receive the Mounjaro jab over the next three years, officials said.
The health secretary added the weight-loss injections could benefit the economy too, reducing the number of sick days caused by obesity.
“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,” he said.
However, individuals will still need to remain responsible for taking “healthy living more seriously”, as the “NHS can’t be expected to always pick up the tab for unhealthy lifestyles”, he said.
“As a country, we’re eating more, eating less healthily and exercising less. The costs to the individual are clear – a less healthy and shorter life.”
Some weight loss medicines are already prescribed by the NHS. The medication which supresses appetite is sold under the brand names Wegovy – used to treat obesity – and Ozempic, for diabetes.
It comes in the form of an injection and mimics the hormone GLP-1, making people feel fuller and less hungry.
Experts have warned in the past that the drug is not a quick fix or a replacement for eating well and exercising, and should only be offered under medical supervision.
Amanda Pritchard, the chief executive of the NHS, said the drugs would be a “game-changer” for public health and could reduce the risk of diabetes, heart attacks and strokes.
David A Ricks, the chairman and chief executive of Lilly, said: “We welcome this opportunity to partner with the UK Government on tackling and preventing disease, and accelerating innovation to advance care delivery models.”
