GLP-1 Medicines and Obesity in the UK: A Market and Policy Snapshot

By Dr Mark Larkin, PhD (Cantab), Medical Director, Pharmacy Price Hound

Introduction

Obesity remains one of the UK’s most pressing health challenges: nearly one in three adults is classified as obese, creating huge costs for the NHS. Traditional weight management approaches, diet, exercise, and behavioural support, have struggled to reverse the trend.

Enter GLP-1 medicines such as semaglutide (Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro). Originally diabetes drugs, they are now recognised as powerful weight management tools. But the key question for the UK is: can they realistically help tackle obesity at scale?

October 2025 Price Snapshot

Key trend: Even starter packs carry a monthly cost of nearly £200, with long-term therapy often £250–£300. For now, affordability limits widespread use outside the NHS.

Clinical Promise: Why GLP-1s Matter for Obesity

GLP-1s reduce appetite, improve satiety, and drive meaningful weight loss. Trials consistently show 10–15% body weight reduction, results not seen with most other medicines.

NICE guidance already supports their use for patients with obesity and related health risks. The logic is simple: by preventing complications like diabetes and heart disease, GLP-1s may save the NHS money long-term.

Dr Mark Larkin, PhD (Cantab)

“GLP-1s represent a genuine shift in obesity management. But scaling access across the NHS will be challenging. The drugs are effective, yet their high cost raises difficult questions about how to deliver them fairly and sustainably.” 

Market & Policy Analysis

• NHS Access: Currently limited to specialist obesity services, with strict eligibility criteria.
• Private Prescriptions: Widely available but costly, putting treatment beyond reach for many.
• Prevention vs Treatment: If rolled out broadly, GLP-1s could help prevent downstream conditions, but NHS decision-makers must weigh short-term costs against long-term benefits.
• Cultural Shift: Wider adoption may also change attitudes, reframing obesity as a treatable medical condition rather than a lifestyle issue. 

FAQs

Are GLP-1s available on the NHS for obesity?
Yes, but access is limited to patients meeting strict NICE criteria in specialist clinics.

Can I get GLP-1s privately?
Yes, but costs range from £200–£300 per month.

Do GLP-1s replace diet and exercise?
No. They work best when combined with lifestyle changes.

Will they be prescribed more widely in future?
Possibly. NICE is reviewing ongoing trial data, but cost-effectiveness will be decisive.

Conclusion

GLP-1 medicines are not a silver bullet, but they offer something genuinely new: a safe, effective option for meaningful weight loss. For now, their role in UK obesity care is constrained by cost and access.

The long-term question is not whether they work, but whether the NHS can afford to make them widely available. Patients and policymakers alike should prepare for a future where GLP-1s reshape obesity management, but also accept that affordability will remain a barrier.

Disclaimer

This article is for informational purposes only. It is not medical advice. Patients should always seek professional guidance before starting or changing medication.

Author & Sources

Author: Dr Mark Larkin, PhD (Cantab)

• Director, Pharmacy Price Hound
• Academic publications in health economics 

Primary Sources:

• NICE NG28 Diabetes & Obesity Guidelines
• NHS Obesity Statistics
• SELECT & SURMOUNT trial data
• Dr Fox, Chemist4U, Oxford Online, Superdrug Online pricing (October 2025)