In response to the growing health problem related to being overweight, the United Kingdom has authorized doctors to prescribe a weekly injection to help obese patients lose more than 10% of their body weight. The move is intended to ease pressure on the British healthcare system, although some regret that an experimental solution is preferred to exercise and healthy eating. It is estimated that between 9 and 12 million people in England suffer from obesity, costing the National Health Service (NHS) approximately £6.5 billion a year.
During the period from 2021 to 2022, more than 1 million people were admitted to hospitals in England due to obesity-related problems. This worrying situation has led the government and the health sector to consider it one of the main challenges due to the risks of diseases such as type 2 diabetes, cancer, and associated mental health problems.
Aiming to ease pressure on the NHS, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has authorized GPs to prescribe the weekly injection called Wegovy, which has been shown in research to help patients lose more than 10% of their body weight. However, clinical trials have revealed that once patients stop receiving the injection, they can quickly regain weight.
Although the Wegovy injection is part of a two-year pilot program with a £40 million investment, some experts say a more sustainable public health policy should focus on promoting healthy eating rich in fresh food and encouraging regular exercise.
The cost of living and food inflation have made it difficult to buy healthy food, as approximately 50% of the fruit and vegetables sold in British supermarkets are imported. This is why some experts emphasize the need to implement prevention policies, such as restrictions on the marketing of junk food.
In addition, they stress the importance of addressing the underlying social causes of obesity, such as living and working environments that do not promote healthy lifestyles. Some physicians and health professionals emphasize that the government strategy should be both preventive and provide medical treatments to address the problem of obesity.
Initially, about 35,000 people will be eligible to receive the injection in hospitals, but this number is expected to increase in the future. Although the United Kingdom becomes the fourth country to use this medicine, there have been delays due to high demand in the United States.
For Prime Minister Sunak, this measure is not only aimed at improving public health but also at reducing waiting lists for NHS treatment and keeping members of his political party happy.