The UK government is exploring better ways to make an innovative weight loss drug called semaglutide more widely available without requiring patients to go to hospitals. The new vaccine is reported to help people lose up to 15% of their body weight. Even though the cost regulating body, NICE, approved semaglutide earlier this year, they said it should only be available through specialized weight management services, most of which are hospital-based, with only 35,000 people gaining access to it. The government believes tens of thousands more are eligible for it. The pilot project, which is to cost around £40 million, aims to examine how general practitioners can safely prescribe the drug, how the NHS can provide support in the community or digitally, and how to offer this new class of treatment to patients through specialist weight management services.
Obesity is a major concern in England since it affects more than one in four people, costs the NHS around £6.5 billion a year, and was a factor in over one million admissions to NHS hospitals in 2019-2020. However, Jim McManus, president of the Association of Public Health Directors, believes that while semaglutide would help some people lose weight as long as they continue to take the drug, “this is not a lasting solution. Not only will it not move the dial on obesity in the long run, but it will cost the public purse far more over the years than a proper strategy that moves us as a society toward healthier food choice and healthier weight.”
Engaging piece:
With obesity being a growing concern in England due to its various adverse health effects, such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and cancer, finding new and effective ways to manage it is currently at the forefront of the UK government’s priority list. Therefore, when a new drug that can help people lose up to 15% of their body weight was approved by NICE, it was seen as a breakthrough moment for weight management services across the country.
Semaglutide helps to make people feel full, and as a result, they eat less and reduce their overall calorie intake. While the drug has been approved for use, a major challenge is the cost of providing it to patients. Most of these patients are hospital-based, limiting the number of people that can receive it. The government’s announcement of a £40 million project that explores ways to make this vaccine more widely available is, therefore, welcome news and is expected to provide safe, long-term solutions for those who use it.
While this drug can provide a significant solution to people suffering from obesity, it’s important to note that it might not be a lasting solution. Jim McManus, president of the Association of Public Health Directors, looks at the problem as more significant than offering a quick-fix drug. According to him, “This is not the way to manage obesity in a lasting way. Offering weight-loss medication at scale, while admirable, is ultimately not the answer. Primarily, it’s not cost-efficient; people will stop losing weight once they stop the pills, and the chances of developing other weight-related issues in the future might still arise.”
Therefore, in addition to offering this weight loss drug, a healthier food culture strategy that moves toward healthier food-choices and healthier living is crucial. Rather than relying solely on such weight loss solutions, policymakers and relevant stakeholders need to consider promoting healthier living. For instance, healthy lifestyle campaigns will go a long way toward reducing heart disease, cancer, and liver problems, among other related health conditions.
In conclusion, obesity is a significant problem in England due to its various adverse health effects and is a factor in millions of visits to NHS hospitals yearly. While the NHS is stretching itself to provide much-needed healthcare, weight loss programs have been difficult and expensive to maintain. Thus, while the new vaccine’s advent has provided some hope, it would not be cost-efficient in the long term. Instead, a comprehensive strategy that promotes healthier living must be promoted by the UK government and other stakeholders.
—————————————————-
| Article | Link |
|---|---|
| UK Artful Impressions | Premiere Etsy Store |
| Sponsored Content | View |
| 90’s Rock Band Review | View |
| Ted Lasso’s MacBook Guide | View |
| Nature’s Secret to More Energy | View |
| Ancient Recipe for Weight Loss | View |
| MacBook Air i3 vs i5 | View |
| You Need a VPN in 2023 – Liberty Shield | View |
A new vaccine that can help obese adults lose 15% of their body weight is expected to be made more widely available on the NHS, after the Government announced it was exploring ways patients can get it without having to go to hospital.
NICE, the body that regulates the cost-effectiveness of new drugs, earlier this year approved the new drug, semaglutidebut said it should only be available through specialized weight management services, most of which are located in hospitals.
The government said on Tuesday that this would mean only about 35,000 people would have access to it “when tens of thousands more may be eligible”.
Ministers are desperate to alleviate pressure on hospitals as the NHS attempts to clear waiting lists for treatment which currently stand at a record 7.3 million.
Obesity, which affects more than one in four people in England, was a factor in more than 1 million admissions to NHS hospitals in 2019-2020, the government said. The condition, which can lead to diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer, costs the NHS around £6.5 billion a year.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak, who stated reduce queues for the NHS Care as one of the “five priorities” by which he will be judged by voters in the general election, he said obesity had put enormous pressure on the NHS.
He added: “Using the latest medicines to help people lose weight will be a game-changer in helping to tackle dangerous obesity-related health conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes and cancer, reducing the strain on hospitals, helping people to living healthier and longer lives, and helping to realize my priority to cut NHS waiting lists.
Patients inject themselves once a week using pens filled with semaglutide. NICE said the drug “makes people who use it feel full, resulting in people eating less and reducing their overall calorie intake.”
A £40m pilot project will examine how general practitioners could safely prescribe the diet drug “and how the NHS can provide support in the community or digitally” to those who take it, the government said.
NHS Chief Medical Officer Professor Sir Stephen Powis said pharmaceutical treatments have offered a new way to help people living with obesity regain a healthier weight.
NHS England was already working to implement NICE recommendations “to make this new class of treatment available to patients through specialist weight management services, subject to negotiation of a safe long-term supply of the products at prices that represent a good value for money for taxpayers,” he added.
However, Jim McManus, president of the Association of Public Health Directors, said that while semaglutide would help some people lose weight as long as they continue to take the drug, “this is not a lasting solution. Not only will it not move the dial on obesity in the long run, but it will cost the public purse far more over the years than a proper strategy that moves us as a society toward healthier food choice and healthier weight.
https://www.ft.com/content/9673b7a2-d1ee-43c2-9b2a-8e58771b0d86
—————————————————-