2023-06-07 13:20:21
- Michelle Roberts
- Health reporter, BBC News
Experts warn that the “diet pills” that are widely used in the United States are not a quick fix or a substitute for a healthy diet and exercise.
Doctors in England are preparing to prescribe a weight-loss drug to some patients, to reduce obesity-related illnesses that are putting pressure on hospitals.
The approval of the “Wigofi” drug came in favor of the NHS in Britain, after research concluded that its users may be able to lose more than 10 percent of their weight.
The drug helps suppress appetite, so users feel full, which prompts them to eat less food.
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak said the drug could be a “game-changer”, announcing a £40m pilot scheme to increase its availability with specialist weight management services.
But experts warn that the “slimming pills” that are widely used in the United States, especially by many celebrities, are not a quick fix or a substitute for a healthy diet and exercise.
It is scheduled to be sold drug “Wegovi” for weight loss in pharmacies in the United Kingdom.
There are drugs such as “Ozimbek” and “Monjaro”, which work in the same way as “Wegovi”, but are intended for the treatment of diabetes, and have not yet been approved for use in weight loss.
The drug watchdog, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, or NICE, says patients can use Wegovi for a maximum of two years through specialized weight management services.
These services are largely focused on hospitals, which means that only about 35,000 people can get it, but the government says that tens of thousands more are entitled to the drug, although it is not yet available in the UK.
The new plan will monitor how doctors prescribe such medicines safely, and the Health Services Authority providing direct or digital support, which contributes to achieving the government’s larger ambition to reduce pressure on hospitals and give patients the ability to obtain the necessary care appropriately.
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Semaglutide is awaiting approval for use under the supervision of the Medicines Regulatory Authority
“Obesity is a huge stressor for the NHS,” Sunak said.
“Using the latest drugs to help people lose weight will be a game-changer by helping to tackle serious obesity-related health conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes and cancer,” he added.
Speaking to the BBC’s Morning Show, British Health Secretary Steve Barclay pointed to the impact of obesity on rates of cancer and diabetes.
He said: “We know that losing or maintaining weight is often a real challenge for people, which is why we care about having access to the latest medicine and for the NHS to be at the top of the list.”
It is estimated that more than 12 million adults in England are obese.
Some pharmacies plan to provide Wigovy to customers, prescribing and dispensing a weekly dose that they can inject themselves using ready-made syringes.
As with any medication, there can be side effects and some risks to Wigovy, the most common of which are nausea or upset stomach, bloating and gas.
Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS Medical Director, said: “Pharmaceutical therapies offer a new way to help people with obesity achieve a healthy weight, and this new experimental model will help determine whether these drugs can be used safely and effectively in out-of-hospital settings.”
He said the NHS was negotiating with the manufacturer to secure a long-term supply at reasonable prices.
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