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

submitted 1 month 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] 4 points 1 month 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.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 1 month 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But it’s not been peer reviewed, this study has not appeared in a scientific journal yet, and it was funded by the drug manufacturers.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.

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 month 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).

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 month 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.