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Weight loss drugs shouldn’t create ‘dependency culture’, says Health Secretary (www.standard.co.uk)

submitted 2 months ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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The availability of weight loss drugs on the NHS doesn’t mean people can give up healthy lifestyles, Health Secretary Wes Streeting has warned.

Experts believe drugs like Ozempic will play an important role in tackling the UK’s obesity crisis.

But Mr Sweeting told the Daily Telegraph it was in “everyone’s interest to play their part” and avoid overloading the health system.

“We don’t want to encourage a dependency culture where people think it’s OK not to bother eating healthily or exercising, because the NHS will pick up the tab and pay for their weight loss jab,” he said.

“People in this country have the right to expect top quality healthcare, but also a responsibility to look after their own health, so we’ve got to get the balance right.”

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[–] [email protected] 14 points 2 months ago (2 children)

It seems like pandering to the Tory press. Getting more people to a healthy weight saves a lot of cash in the long run and frees up resources for other people.

However, I don't like the idea of Big Pharma gouging us on the price and, we do need to take more responsibility for our health. When I was in hospital in 2017 they didn't really know where to put me so I went in the leg wards. Everyone else had badly managed diabetes and smoked, so they all had nasty leg wounds that landed them in hospital and it was only going to get worse. Too many were still sneaking out for a smoke, including No Legs Mick who was being slowly whittled down to a nub. With a bit more care for themselves that entire floor of the hospital could have been largely cleared.

[–] [email protected] 11 points 2 months ago (2 children)

"Personal responsibility" has nothing to do with politics tho.

I'm all for personal responsibility for myself or.anyone else. But politicians in the public forum should be governing public resources/systems.

[–] [email protected] 7 points 2 months ago

If the nation is eating unhealthily look at food standards. Look at food costs. Work on policy that effects the quality of what they are able to afford to eat.

Don't just finger wag.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 months ago (1 children)

But politicians in the public forum should be governing public resources/systems.

That's it really - if the semaglutide injections cost £X but save £1.5X then buy it by the truckload.

This doctor reckons everyone with a BMI over 30 who has tried an failed to lose weight and keep it off should get it. There may also be benefits fir anyone who has had a stroke.

[–] hellothere 5 points 2 months ago (1 children)

But it’s not been peer reviewed, this study has not appeared in a scientific journal yet, and it was funded by the drug manufacturers. So are people getting a bit overexcited?

I mean, come on.

[–] julietOscarEcho 6 points 2 months ago (1 children)

This is frustratingly common. Who has the resources and incentive to run such studies?

Finding the same thing with evidence for the effectiveness of AI copilots. Everyone doing wonk on it has a finger in the pie. So in order to believe the research you have to trust the integrity and discipline of people you never met, not to mention trust a whole organizational to be culturally respectful of the scientific method (which probability near zero for a large corporate).

[–] hellothere 1 points 2 months ago

You fundamentally should never trust a study commissioned by the company who sells the product.

It's far too great a conflict of interest.

[–] [email protected] 4 points 2 months ago

To be fair, at that point it's a little late to quit smoking, and an addiction isn't something you quit overnight.