The United Kingdom is embarking on a novel approach to tackle unemployment by investigating whether weight loss drugs can help people return to work. UK Health Minister Wes Streeting announced that Eli Lilly will conduct a five-year trial in Greater Manchester to determine if the company's weight loss medication can alleviate the UK's unemployment crisis.
Trial Details and Objectives
The trial, involving approximately 3,000 residents of Greater Manchester, will examine the long-term effects of weight loss drugs. While specific details of the study remain undisclosed, the initiative follows a summit hosted by UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer aimed at encouraging investment in the UK, during which Eli Lilly announced a 279-million-pound ($365.4m) investment.
Obesity and Economic Inactivity
According to the 2021 official health survey, 25.9% of adults in the UK are obese, and another 37.9% are overweight. Obesity-related health issues cost the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) 11 billion pounds ($14bn) annually. As of August 2024, the unemployment rate in the UK was 4%. A UK Labour Market Statistics report indicated that 9.26 million people aged 16 to 64 were economically inactive, with 30% citing long-term illness as the reason.
Philip Newland-Jones, a consultant pharmacist in diabetes and endocrinology at University Hospital Southampton, noted, "Studies show that those that are unemployed are more likely to be obese, and the longer you are unemployed the more likely you are to be obese. There is no strict causation attached to this and no absolute strong evidence that obesity is what has led to unemployment."
Mechanism of Weight Loss Drugs
Drugs like Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy and Ozempic (semaglutide injections) and Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro and Zepbound (tirzepatide injections) suppress appetite by mimicking glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), an intestinal hormone released after eating. Tirzepatides also work with gastric inhibitory polypeptide (GIP) to regulate blood glucose. These drugs are administered weekly via injection.
Weight Loss and Potential Side Effects
According to Dr. Cecilia Low Wang, individuals using the highest dose of Mounjaro (15 mg per week) experienced up to a 21% reduction in body weight. However, weight loss is not permanent; cessation of the medication typically leads to weight regain. Common side effects of Mounjaro include nausea, diarrhea, and decreased appetite. The drug's website also warns of potential thyroid tumors and pancreatitis, emphasizing the importance of staying hydrated and monitoring for symptoms.
