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<\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/source><\/p>\nA weight loss wonder drug Rishi Sunak describes as a \u201cgame changer\u201d will be prescribed to tens of thousands in a bid to ease the nation\u2019s health crisis.<\/p>\n
The injection curbs hunger and can help patients lose 15 percent of their body weight.<\/p>\n
During a \u00a340million, two-year trial, specialist weight management services will be expanded so more people get prescriptions.<\/p>\n
The Prime Minister said it will help those struggling to shed the pounds to live healthier lives, and cut NHS waiting lists by reducing demand for care.<\/p>\n
He added: \u201cObesity puts huge pressure on the NHS. Using the latest drugs to support people to lose weight will be a game-changer by helping tackle dangerous obesity-related health conditions such as high blood \u00adpressure, diabetes and cancer.<\/p>\n
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\u201cIt will reduce pressure on \u00adhospitals, support people to live healthier and longer lives and help to deliver on my priority to cut NHS waiting lists.\u201d<\/p>\n
Watchdog Nice earlier this year recommended semaglutide, more commonly known as Wegovy, for adults with a body mass index of at least 35 and one weight-related health condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure.<\/p>\n
However, it is not yet available in the UK due to supply constraints.<\/p>\n
Manufacturer Novo Nordisk said in May it was working to make Wegovy available as soon as possible.<\/p>\n
Health officials are understood to be in close discussions with the firm to secure supply for the pilot as soon as the drug launches here.<\/p>\n
Nice advised that NHS use should be restricted to specialist weight management services, which are largely hospital-based, meaning only around 35,000 \u00adpeople would be able to access it.<\/p>\n
The trial will explore how \u00adservices can be expanded outside of hospitals and GPs could \u00adprescribe the drugs, ensuring tens of thousands more can benefit.<\/p>\n
Obesity is one of the biggest strains on the NHS and is a leading cause of several severe health \u00adconditions such as cardiovascular disease, diabetes and cancer.<\/p>\n
Don’t miss… <\/strong> It is estimated to cost the health service \u00a36.5billion a year. More than one million hospital \u00adadmissions were linked to the \u00adcondition in 2019\/20.<\/p>\n Latest data shows 12 million adults in the UK are obese, 28 percent of the population in England, while a further 16 million were overweight.<\/p>\n It means that around two-thirds of the adult population are above a healthy weight \u2013 defined as having a BMI of 25 or above.<\/p>\n Delivered via a weekly injection, semaglutide targets an area of the brain that regulates appetite and mimics a hormone that curbs \u00adhunger. It can be life-changing for patients such as paramedic Alex Guevara. The father-of-three, from Milton Keynes, Buckinghamshire, cut his weight from 20 to 15 stone after receiving the treatment.<\/p>\n Alex, 47, said: \u201cI needed \u00adsomething dramatic to break the cycle and stop me hurtling towards type 2 diabetes, heart disease and stroke. I was also on medication for depression and asthma. I even felt suicidal.\u201d Health Secretary Steve Barclay said this next \u00adgeneration of obesity drugs had great potential when \u00adprescribed alongside exercise, diet and \u00adbehavioural support. He added: \u201cThis pilot will help people live longer, healthier lives.\u201d<\/p>\n NHS medical director Professor Sir Stephen Powis said obesity \u201ccan have devastating consequences for the nation\u2019s health\u201d.<\/p>\n He added: \u201cThis pilot will help determine if these medicines can be used safely and effectively in non-hospital settings as well as with a range of other interventions we have in place.\u201d Experts on Tuesday night said the drug\u2019s wider use could have huge benefits if closely monitored and offered alongside lifestyle advice.<\/p>\n We use your sign-up to provide content in ways you’ve consented to and to improve our understanding of you. This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding. You can unsubscribe at any time. More info<\/p>\n Professor Kamila Hawthorne, chair of the Royal College of GPs, said the expansion was welcome but must be backed by \u201csufficient resource and funding to account for the increased workload\u201d.<\/p>\n She added: \u201cShifting some of this care safely into primary care is worth exploring as it makes sense for patients to access care within the community.<\/p>\n \u201cAny plans to expand availability of semaglutide in primary care must also be done based on \u00adevidence of long-term benefit to patients. And sufficient availability of the drug must be ensured ahead of any roll out, so as not to raise patients\u2019 expectations \u2013 as there may be many people who need it.\u201d<\/p>\n Professor Naveed Sattar, an expert in metabolic medicine at the University of Glasgow, said: \u201cAnything that helps more people living with obesity gain access to medicines that help them lose weight sustainably could be a major plus to health outcomes.\u201d<\/p>\n Dr Duane Mellor, a registered \u00addietitian and senior lecturer at Aston University, added: \u201cIt is really \u00adwelcome that the government is investing in weight management services for people living with obesity.<\/p>\n \u201cHopefully this will go beyond focusing only on a drug and will include dietary, lifestyle and \u00adpsychological support.\u201d<\/p>\n
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