"Access to obesity treatment in the UK may be heading toward a two-tier system, raising concerns that some of the most vulnerable patients could be left without help. Researchers warn that people who cannot afford private care may struggle to receive effective treatment through the National Health Service. Specialists from King's College London and the Obesity Management Collaborative (OMC-UK) say current eligibility rules mean only a limited number of patients can receive the weight loss drug Mounjaro through the NHS."
"Obesity is a worldwide public health crisis linked to serious illnesses, including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, and cancer. The NHS rollout of tirzepatide, also known as Mounjaro, has been welcomed as an important step toward addressing these risks. However, recent figures suggest that more than one and a half million people in the UK are already accessing these newer weight loss medications through private providers."
Access to obesity treatment in the UK shows increasing separation between limited NHS provision and extensive private uptake. NHS eligibility requires a body mass index of 40 or higher plus multiple related health conditions, restricting who can receive tirzepatide (Mounjaro) on the NHS. More than 1.5 million people are already accessing newer weight-loss medications via private providers, while NHS access is expected to reach about 200,000 patients over the first three years. Obesity raises risks for heart disease, type 2 diabetes and cancer. Financial barriers to private care risk leaving high-risk patients untreated and worsening health inequalities.
Read at ScienceDaily
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