Is this going to open a floodgate - weight loss jabs for unemployed

Sure; people are already selling prescription meds 'on the street' - it's probably going to happen, yes.

And, people are already borderline and paying privately for this medication, so it probably will happens that those will add a few pounds to obtain.

You are entirely correct here, however both of these scenarios are not going to be 'the norm' and why should the majority not be allowed to have this for that reason?

I think as with anything, you can't stop treating people with chronic pain because there is a black market for painkillers

It does nothing.

Instead of taxing people in poverty why not support them and help them make better choices?

The problem with that, is that the 'sugar tax' for example has simply created more UPFs, horrible artificial drinks and items with sweetners in them which unfortunately are likely to further impede peoples ability to manage their hunger signals and hormones when obese.

We need to help people understand what an actual portion size should be.

You really do have an fair, balanced and unprejudiced view of benefit claimants, don't you?🙄

I don't see it making a difference, if someone can't work because they are obese, a jab won't make a difference.

They will still have psychological issues such as self esteem issues from loose skin and they haven't actually tackled the issue to why they over eat as well as side effects of the medication.

Not just on MN, it seems to be everywhere.

Sneering comments 'ozempic' about celebrities or anyone else who has lost a lot of weight instead of congratulations.

A lot of people seem to want weight loss to be miserable and involve self-denial and suffering to be valid. They think weight loss jabs are cheating and making it too easy because they want it to be hard because they see obesity as a character flaw, not a health condition.

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2024/10/14/widening-waistbands-are-a-burden-on-britain/

This is the article he wrote for the Telegraph if anyone has a share token. I’m not sure what he’s said and what is being reported are quite the same thing.

I'm morbidly obese and trying to find new work and yes this is impacting what I can do.

Id love access to these drugs but I'm working. I'm also wary that it would all just go back on again when the funding stops.

I'm really struggling.

The drugs have been used for many decades for diabetes, they are already in circulation and use

What about the MH of people who are referred to gyms and slimming clubs by the GP, arent you worried about what will happen if they dont make changes or keep up the weight loss and put it all back on? The jabs have a much higher success rate statistically, although all weight loss methods overall are not that successful.

This. It would be better if the NHS weight loss service was easier to access and that these medications could be prescribed lower than Tier Three to those that need them AND qualify. I would be more than happy to pay my monthly private charge to my local GP service for a once a month visit and check up.

My experience to date of NHS weight loss service is that it is not fit for purpose. Having improved access to approved weight loss medication has to be better than gastric surgery with all the ongoing medical issues that bariatric surgery carries.

It has to be a good thing, both physically and mentally, to enable people to return to a healthier, productive life

Dont forget all the 'psychological conditions' that someone will develop from loose skin, I see that one has raised its head in this thread now

Good to see it. Theres not enough horror in society about loose skin!!!!

I wouldnt congratulate someone if their antibiotics solved their chest infection either. A medicine has done its job.

I can understand to an extent why people think it is “cheating” because using a drug is a tool to assist - and I think it’s great that it works - but overall societally using drugs to control obesity does not address the reasons why as a society we are all so obese.

That is what is still needed.

Rather than the tax payer footing the bill - why not the massive, multi billion companies selling over processed shite food. The companies advertising UPF's to kids.

Don’t be ridiculous.

We are obese because we eat so much, it really is as simple as that

Some people naturally have no off switch
Some people have developed a massive appetite
Foods make us crave more food and therefore overeat

But the bottom line is we eat too much as a society, its easy, its cheap, its plentiful, its accessible, its socially acceptable, its 'fun', its expected

The medication supports that you eat less. You have to eat less to lose weight, so yes they are 'working' to eat less and therefore will be successful

Its not the same as antibiotics silently treating a condition, you have to eat less. LIke if you have physical intervention for drugs, fags or booze, you have to stop using those in order for the treatment to be considered a success

No doubt you wouldnt be po faced about someone stopping the fags would you, you would say 'well done on giving up' even if they had patches and other help

Or perhaps you wouldnt

Some will take it, maybe some will sell it 🤷🏻‍♀️. Plus, even if they lost weight from it - there is not a guarantee they will go back to work.. not sure Labour are going to force them to work…I think if it helps people lose weight great, it’ll be healthier for them and hopefully as a society we become better… not sure where Labour are getting the money to supply this for free tho….

The only person responsible for someone being fat is that individual but now all of a sudden it’s a state responsibility to make them not fat. It makes absolutely no sense. People need to take personal responsibility for their own actions.

Nobody will sell it ffs.

I genuinely do not understand the pure hatred towards fat people on this site

@soupfiend I know you seem determined for us all to agree with you though it's unclear why it matters so much to you.
Yes I absolutely do also wonder (not worry) the same for those given gym and/or slimming world memberships as well. Not because I grudge them it at all. Just because it seems to be a sticking plaster rather than a long term helpful lifestyle change. Whether we like it or not, no the injections have not been used for weight loss for long enough that any of us can say there won't be negative long term effects. Regardless of our personal feelings on it either way.

I’m puzzled why Streeting talked about the unemployed if - assuming it’s true - he then told R4 that the unemployed will not be the target of the trial.

Government spin presumably.

If Streeting is in any doubt about the drugs’ efficacy (at least short term) he just needs to read the existing trial results.

100% agree with this.

Is there anyone left who hasn't had them it seems to be the new 'must have accessory'

Excellent post @soupfiend

This is exactly it!

Weight loss jabs stop the constant thinking about food and reduce the ability to overeat. The only issue is once you are off it, it all comes back. So work needs to be done to help the psychological side, helping make and reinforce healthy habits etc.

It is extremely difficult to lose weight and keep it off. Obesity causes huge amounts of illnesses and sick days off work ( costs more than smoking). For the PP who mentioned diabetes, what do you think is the main cause of the huge rise in type 2 diabetes? It's obesity. The amount of money spent by the NHS on amputations, kidney dialysis, etc, due to diabetes is astronomical. If something allows someone to access other therapies while they are losing weight, that can only be a good thing, and it needs to be done in conjunction with other things like taxes on junk food and UPF'S and subsidies on fresh and frozen fruit and vegetables, as well as education and support for those onnthecdrugs. For sime just being able to access work, being able to do exercise or even being able to go for a walk without pain would be beneficial to their mental health. It's like saying people shouldn't have nicotine patches on the NHS because they should use willpower alone, or that someone with severe depression should not use anti depressants because they should just go for a walk.