There could be “significant” economic benefits to prescribing a weight loss jab to thousands of people, though the main focus is on improving health, the Health Secretary has said.
Steve Barclay told BBC Radio 4’s Today programme that various health “challenges” linked to obesity, such as staff sickness and musculoskeletal conditions, have an impact on the labour market.
Mr Barclay said the “purpose of the pilot is to inform what its potential scope is and what its wider benefits may be”. Mr Barclay said he wants the NHS to be at the “front of the pack” when it comes to being able to dispense the new weight-loss drugs. The Government said that would mean only around 35,000 people having access to the treatment when tens of thousands more could be eligible under the criteria of having a body mass index of at least 35 and one weight-related condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure.
Wegovy is a weight-loss injection popular with celebrities – Twitter and Tesla tycoon Elon Musk has said he uses it to stay in shape. Elsewhere on Wednesday morning, Mr Barclay was asked on Times Radio whether disposable vapes should be banned and e-cigarettes only available on prescription to reduce their appeal to children.
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