Half of British adults should be able to get their hands on fat jabs through the post, says Tony Blair

Former Prime Minister Tony Blair has said that half of British adults should be allowed to get their hands on fat jabs under widened criteria.

Researchers at the Tony Blair Institute have suggested extending the measure for eligibility could allow at least 14.7million Brits to get weight loss medication in the post – which would in turn boost the NHS. 

The think tank have called for the eligibility criteria for the drugs to ‘drastically lowered’, to make them available to people who are overweight but not yet obese.

As part of their research, they have also suggested the jabs to be made available over the counter, without the need to see a GP first, and for weight management services to be offered through the NHS App.

Such moves would boost the nation’s health and wealth and help to tackle inequality, it argues.

Obesity is now one of the biggest drivers of ill health in the UK, placing an ‘immense strain’ on the NHS, the benefit system and wider economy.

But the TBI warns obesity is more prevalent in deprived areas and the current slow rollout of fat jabs on the NHS will ‘perpetuate access based on the ability to pay rather than need’.

The NHS rations the drugs to around 50,000 people a year at specialist weight-loss clinics, although 4million people with a body mass index higher than 35 are eligible.

 A BMI over 30 is classed as obese, and 40 or above is classed as severely obese.

A further 500,000 people are thought to obtain the treatment privately for around £200 a month.

The new TBI report demands a ‘faster, broader approach to the rollout’ and suggests a BMI threshold of just 27, which is overweight.

Drugs such as Ozempic and Wegovy have been shown to significantly increase productivity in the workforce, with users typically fitter and taking fewer sick days.

In trials, weight-loss drugs helped people lose up to a fifth of their body weight, which can reduce their risk of diabetes, heart disease and cancer.

Ministers are examining ways to make weight-loss jabs more accessible and Treasury officials are holding talks on their economic benefits.

The TBI says the NHS’s current approach is ‘unlikely to slow, let alone reverse rising obesity rates over the next 12 years’ and the need for a GP referral ‘inhibits’ potential for broader rollout as it is ‘wildly resource intensive and hugely expensive’.

Economic modelling by the Institute shows reducing the qualifying BMI is expected to deliver cost-benefit neutrality by 2035 and net gains year on year afterwards, with cumulative fiscal benefits estimated at £52billion by 2050.

Comparatively, on the NHS current rollout schedule, cost-benefit neutrality is expected to be achieved by 2053.

The report says access to the fat jabs should be means-tested, so only patients who are eligible for free prescriptions can access them at no cost.

Dr Charlotte Refsum, director of health policy at TBI, said: ‘If the government is looking to improve health and drive economic growth, tackling obesity – as part of a wider prevention agenda – must be a key priority.

‘Anti-Obesity Medications are effective, well tolerated by those taking them and highly scalable.

‘The government must follow its instincts and be bolder – providing faster, broader access in a more convenient way that meets them where they are – online, at home and in the high street.

‘The cost of treating obesity may be high but the cost of not treating it is higher.’

A study presented at the European Congress of Obesity earlier this month found semaglutide – sold under the brand name Ozempic as a treatment for diabetes or Wegovy for weight loss – provided an annual productivity boost equivalent to £1,127 per person.

The drug helped each patient avoid five sick days a year on average, and enabled people to carry out an extra 12 days of unpaid productive activity, such as volunteering or childcare, saving the state resources.

In total this would equate to an extra £4.5billion a year in British economic productivity if the 4million people eligible for the drug on the NHS could have it.

Dr Nick Thayer, head of policy at the Company Chemists Association, which represents major pharmacy chains such as Boots and Superdrug, said: ‘Weight loss medicines have the potential to significantly reduce the burden of obesity on the NHS and transform the lives of millions.

‘The economic impact of allowing many to return to work, offers the government a vital avenue to increase growth and workforce productivity.

‘Community pharmacies have a proven track record of delivering preventative healthcare interventions at scale.

‘Building on the expertise developed through private services, community pharmacies would be well placed to deliver wraparound weight loss care, to increase access where needed.’

Health Secretary Wes Streeting said: ‘Obesity is a huge drag on the NHS, the economy, and the quality of people’s lives, and these medications are an exciting innovation.

‘We’re working with the NHS to trial new approaches and digital-first technologies to get these treatments to people faster, all while safeguarding capacity in our health service.

‘For too long patients have been failed by inaction, but under our Plan for Change we’ll tackle obesity head-on.

‘We know that fixing this is key to mending our broken NHS, boosting our economy and making our NHS fit for the future.’