A report from Sir Tony Blair’s think tank says sending weight loss jabs by post to 15 million people could boost the UK economy by £52 billion.
The Tony Blair Institute for Global Change (TBI) explains that easier access to drugs like Wegovy and Mounjaro would save billions by helping people stay healthier and work longer.
Obesity costs the UK about £98 billion a year due to higher NHS costs, more welfare payments, and lost productivity. The report says that while treating obesity is expensive, the cost of not treating it is even higher.
The think tank suggests patients order the jabs through the NHS app to have them delivered at home, making the treatment more accessible. Their economic model shows that giving 15 million patients these injections over two years could save £52 billion by 2050 by preventing diseases that stop people from working.
The report also says the Department for Work and Pensions could save £3.47 billion a year by 2035 on benefits payments.
Targeting people in their 40s, 50s, and 60s would maximize benefits since many in this age group are still working and at risk for disease.
Weight loss injections, known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, mimic a natural hormone that controls blood sugar, appetite, and digestion. Originally for type 2 diabetes, they also help patients lose weight.
Obesity raises risks for heart disease, diabetes, and some cancers. Weight loss jabs have been shown to reduce heart attacks and prevent some cancers.
Currently, the NHS provides these drugs to about 4,000 people a month, but about one million people buy them privately, creating a “two-tier” system.
The report recommends offering weight loss jabs on the NHS to people with a BMI over 27 (overweight) as well as those with a BMI over 35 (obese).
Right now, NHS patients usually get these drugs only if they have weight-related conditions like high blood pressure or cardiovascular disease.
Dr. Charlotte Refsum from TBI told The Times the government must act boldly. She said improving access by offering treatments online, at home, and in convenient locations is key to tackling obesity and boosting the economy.
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