UK to Give Britons More Access to Weight-Loss Drugs: Inside The Mission to Be 'Fat-Free'

Amidst surging number of obese adults in the United Kingdom, the government has unveiled its plans to make weight-loss drugs such as Ozempic and Mounjaro more accessible to UK residents.

The Plan, shared by Health Secretary Wes Streeting, is part of the country's goals to make the country 'fat-free' within a decade.

Inside the 'Fat-Free' Nationwide Mission

In an interview with The Sun, Streeting mentioned that they are targeting to slash levies on these weight-loss drugs for greater access for the public.

For context, individuals with a BMI of 35 or higher, or 30 and above if they have a related health condition, are eligible to receive injections on the NHS via specialist weight-management services.

However, for those who don't meet these requirements, obtaining the injections privately can cost households several hundred pounds each month.

He even remarked that not every Briton has £2,500 a year to spend on weight-loss jabs, adding that this objective is something that is not only close to him and other Labour MPs but also at the heart of the NHS's aim.

'We're looking to seriously scale up access to weight-loss jabs for everyone who needs them,' he said.

Fat Jabs Boosting Economy?

Meanwhile, Dr Sam Roberts, Chief Executive at the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, believes that the plans from Streeting and other Labour MPs will help many Britons move out of their 'obese' category and provide the inspiration to rejoin the workforce.

He also estimates that fat jabs may be able to boost the economy by 257,000 working days, which is worth around £35.6 million per year.

'The cost of inaction is simply too high. Prioritising prevention is a win-win situation for the health of the nation and the economy,' he said.

The plans for accessible fat jabs are part of the latest '10-year plan' released by the NHS, outlining the health body's vision and goals to create a healthier UK.

He said the government aims to transform the service from a 'sickness service' into an accurate "health service."

It also focuses on shifting care from hospitals to community-based neighbourhood hubs, expanding prevention through more screening, vaccinations, and weight-loss support, and modernising the system with improved digital services and AI technology.

'This is a time for radical change – major surgery, not sticking plasters. The measures in this Plan are radical and urgent. It won't be easy, but the prize will be worth it. This is a Plan that will take the NHS from the worst crisis in its history, and renew it so it serves generations to come,' UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer said.

State of Obesity in the UK

In recent years, obesity has become a critical public health issue in the UK. As of 2023–24, 64.5% of adults in England are overweight or obese, with 26.5% living with obesity, up from 61.2% and 22.6% in 2015–16.

Demographically, men (69.7%) are more affected than women (59.2%), while obesity is highest in 55–64‑year‑olds (32.5%).

Disparities also persist: In the most deprived areas, 71.2% are overweight (37.4% obese), versus 59.4% and 19.8% in the least deprived.

Moreover, childhood obesity remains alarming—9.6% of reception-age children and 22.1% of Year 6 pupils were obese in 2023–24.

In response to these, the NHS spends approximately £6.5 billion annually treating obesity-related illnesses. Without action, by 2050, obesity-related costs could reach £9.7 billion, while the broader economic burden may reach £126 billion.

Easing Pressure on the NHS

Making weight-loss injections more accessible could play a vital role in tackling the UK's rising obesity rates, easing pressure on overstretched NHS services and supporting the shift towards prevention at the heart of the NHS's 10-year Plan.

By helping more people achieve a healthier weight, these treatments could reduce obesity-related conditions, such as diabetes and heart disease, lower long-term healthcare costs, and contribute to building a stronger, more sustainable healthcare system focused on keeping people well rather than just treating them when they're sick.