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Treatment-only package
Last updated: 10/12/2025
This package demonstrates the impact of expanding access to novel pharmacological interventions aimed at reducing obesity. The effectiveness of GLP-1 agonists is revolutionary and such treatments are often viewed as the ‘silver bullet’ for solving the obesity crisis and saving the NHS. There is good evidence that people regain two-thirds of their weight when they stop taking the drug. This illustrative policy demonstrates that relying on treatment alone would be less effective than a package of policies that combine both prevention and treatment. Furthermore, at a cost of £42 billion over five years, relying on treatment alone is a prohibitively expensive solution.
The policy uses specific weight-loss medications as illustrative examples only. We support the focus of the 2025 NHSE rollout on those with the highest need (BMI over 40 and co-morbidities). However, we would welcome measures to expand access beyond those with the highest levels of BMI.
Overall, this policy package sees an overall ~41% reduction in obesity prevalence over 5 years, costing the UK government approximately £42 billion.