The Health Secretary has stated that offering weight loss injections to unemployed obese individuals is not a “dystopian” approach. Wes Streeting discussed a new trial aimed at exploring whether anti-obesity injections can enhance employment opportunities and alleviate the pressure on the NHS, referring to it as a potential “game-changer”.
During his appearance on the BBC’s Sunday With Laura Kuenssberg program, Streeting emphasized that these jabs are not a standalone solution for obesity and expressed his disinterest in fostering a culture of dependency. He remarked, “I’m also not interested in some dystopian future where I wander around involuntarily jabbing unemployed people who are overweight – that is not on the agenda.”
The trial will examine the effectiveness of Mounjaro, also known as tirzepatide, over a five-year period. Conducted by Health Innovation Manchester and Lilly, the study will assess the drug’s impact on weight loss, diabetes prevention, and its influence on obesity-related complications and NHS resource use. Additionally, the research will evaluate whether the drug can reduce levels of unemployment and sick days among workers.
Streeting expressed enthusiasm for the upcoming trial. In contrast, some critics, like Cheri Ferguson, who successfully lost 10 stone using weight-loss drugs, have described his views as naive. Ferguson stated, “I don’t think suddenly we’ve got X amount of unemployed people and we all give them Mounjaro and once they start losing weight, that’s it, they’re all suddenly going to be in employment. I don’t think that’s the case at all. And I think that is very naive as well to think that that is the case.”
Experts believe the findings of this trial, which will be based in Greater Manchester, could significantly influence the UK’s strategy in treating obesity. A previous study indicated that individuals using Mounjaro, in conjunction with lifestyle support, lost an average of 21% of their body weight in just 36 weeks.
As the rollout of the drug is anticipated to be staggered across England due to expected high demand, officials predict that nearly 250,000 people could receive Mounjaro injections over the next three years.
Source: Dereham Times
