'MIRACLE' WEIGHT LOSS JAB TO SAVE LIVES AND CUT £6.5BN BILL

50,000 NHS patients a year to get game-changing drug that can cut fat by 15%

- Hanna Geissler

A MIRACLE weight-loss drug will save lives and help cut the £6.5billion annual NHS obesity bill, says the Health Secretary.

Steve Barclay called the Wegovy jabs, which let patients shed 15% of their body weight, a "game changer". Estimates suggest up to 50,000 people could be prescribed the drug annually by 2027/28, dramatically cutting their risk of deadly conditions such as type 2 diabetes and heart disease.

Mr Barclay said the weekly jab, now available on the health service, will help ease pressure on the ailing NHS.

He said: "Thousands of people who want to make a real change to their health stand to benefit.

"That is thousands of patients who could avoid potentially life-threatening illnesses linked to obesity and thousands more families and friends able to enjoy more quality time with a loved one.

"As well as helping people lead longer and healthier lives, tackling obesity will also aid us to continue cutting waiting lists, which is one of the Prime Minister's five priorities for this Government."

Tam Fry, chairman of the National Obesity Forum, said he was "delighted" to see the drug rolled out.

He added: "This whole new set of drugs, there is a whole wealth of them coming through, that will be wonderful for the people for whom it is intended.

"I think it's wonderful that it's now available but it has got to be very tightly controlled - people should not be abusing it who don't need it.

"I have always felt very uncomfortable at the way that people who simply want to lose a few pounds, like Elon Musk and Kim Kardashian, are able to get hold of it because they're rich."