AIBU to question GP incentives for prescribing weight-loss drugs?

[NinaNinComPoop]

And to ask what other prescribed medication awards GPs with financial incentives?

Beginning in April 2026, GPs in England will receive financial incentives, averaging £3,000 a year, to increase the prescription of weight-loss drugs, specifically Mounjaro (tirzepatide), to eligible patients. This move is part of a government initiative to accelerate the NHS rollout of these treatments to manage obesity, with up to £25 million in ring-fenced funding.
BBC +2
Key Aspects of the New Initiative:

• Targeted Incentives: The bonus is intended to encourage GP practices to prescribe Mounjaro to those with the greatest clinical need, rather than just those who can afford private prescriptions.
• Eligibility Restrictions: Despite the push, access remains restricted to specific groups. Initially, this includes patients with a BMI of 40 or higher (or 37.5 for certain ethnic groups) who also have at least four weight-related conditions. The eligibility threshold is expected to drop in 2026/27.
• Concerns over Implementation: While aimed at improving access, some GP leaders and experts have voiced concerns that the incentives may not overcome the "stark divide" in access and could strain GP workloads.
• Alternative Care Models: Amidst the focus on medication, some GPs are also expanding "social prescribing" to improve mental and physical health through non-clinical activities like community projects, which can in some cases reduce the need for medication.
• BBC +5

The move follows a broader push to make weight-loss treatments "to the many, not the few," aiming to reduce the long-term health burdens on the NHS.

Now ask chatGPT to list the risks of long-term obesity.

This sums it all up nicely 👌🏼

Did anyone say without comorbidities? Nevertheless they've been prescribed for a while. I know several people who have them prescribed by their GP. And of course they may have comorbidities but they're still getting them so they can lose weight as part of their treatment.

And the fact remains that there are GPs who disapprove of them. You only have to read some of the threads on here to see that.

Did it out of interest

Long-term obesity isn’t just about weight itself—it puts strain on nearly every system in your body over time. Some risks build slowly and quietly, which is why it’s worth understanding the bigger picture.
🫀 Heart & circulation
Carrying excess weight increases the risk of:

• High blood pressure (hypertension)
• Heart disease (like coronary artery disease)
• Stroke

Your heart has to work harder to pump blood, and fat deposits can narrow or damage blood vessels.

🍬 Metabolic & hormonal health

• Type 2 Diabetes
• Insulin resistance
• High cholesterol

These often come as a cluster (sometimes called metabolic syndrome), which raises heart risk even further.

🦴 Joints & mobility

• Osteoarthritis (especially knees and hips)
• Joint pain and reduced mobility

Extra weight puts mechanical stress on joints—something that’s especially relevant if you’ve already got knee issues.

😴 Breathing & sleep

• Sleep Apnea
• Shortness of breath
• Reduced lung function

Sleep apnea can seriously affect energy levels, mood, and heart health if untreated.

🧠 Mental health

• Higher rates of depression and anxiety
• Lower self-esteem or body image struggles

This isn’t purely biological—there’s also social stigma and day-to-day impact.

🧬 Cancer risk
Obesity is linked to increased risk of several cancers, including:

• Breast
• Bowel (colon)
• Endometrial (uterine)

🧪 Liver & digestion

• Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease
• Gallstones
• Acid reflux

Fat can build up in the liver even without alcohol use, which can progress if not managed.

❤️ Reproductive health

• Hormonal imbalance
• Fertility issues
• Complications in pregnancy

⏳ Overall impact

• Reduced life expectancy
• Lower quality of life (fatigue, pain, mobility limits)

None of this is about fear-mongering—it’s just the reality of how the body responds over time. The important part is that even small changes (like losing 5–10% of body weight, improving fitness, or stabilising blood sugar) can significantly reduce a lot of these risks.

Crazy that people think this is better for the NHS.

Indeed! The OP should compare that stat with the one for people who lose weight through more "conventional" means. I lost 4 and a half stone in a year 30 years ago and having only regained up to half a stone (it varies but that's the most I've regained during the years since), I'm a real success story.

It might well be that WLI turn out to have more side effects than is currently known - but that's like most drugs and the benefits for most people are considerable.