Dr Hilary Jones Says People Could Wait Up to 12 Years for Weight Loss Injection
Dr Hilary Jones, the well-known GP and ITV presenter, shared a sobering update regarding the highly anticipated weight loss drug Mounjaro during Thursday’s Lorraine. The injection, recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) for use from March, offers a promising new treatment for individuals suffering from obesity and overweight-related issues. However, Dr Hilary warned that many people hoping for quick access to the injection could face long delays due to overwhelming demand and limited NHS resources.
Speaking on Lorraine, Dr Hilary explained that the NHS is already struggling to manage the increasing number of people dealing with obesity, with around 3.4 million people in the UK considered severely overweight or obese. He noted, “If they all turned up at the clinics tomorrow, the NHS would be overwhelmed.” The GP added that there simply aren’t enough staff or resources to support this surge in demand. The treatment involves not only administering the medication but also providing comprehensive support around diet, exercise, and monitoring for any side effects, reported by Gloucestershire Live .
According to Dr Hilary, NICE’s final draft guidance on Mounjaro will prioritize people who are already referred to clinics or those who have the most urgent clinical needs. He clarified, “There will be about 220,000 people who are already in these clinics and have the most pressing conditions who will get the treatment first.” This group includes individuals who are “grossly overweight” and suffer from other conditions related to their weight.
However, for many others, Dr Hilary cautioned that access to Mounjaro could be delayed for several years due to resource limitations. He warned, “People could wait up to 12 years before getting the treatment,” noting that weight loss therapies must be rationed, given the pressure on the NHS and the need to prioritize patients with more urgent health concerns such as cancer, strokes, and Alzheimer’s disease.
Dr Hilary’s comments have raised concerns about the accessibility of weight loss treatments, as many people struggling with obesity will need to navigate long waiting lists before receiving any help.