The UK government has unveiled a new initiative aimed at improving accessibility to obesity drugs and reducing waiting lists in the National Health Service (NHS).
Valued at £40 million ($50 million), this two-year pilot programme seeks to explore innovative ways of providing obesity medications to individuals outside of hospital settings, the government announced on Wednesday (07).
Prime Minister Sunak has emphasised the importance of reducing hospital waiting lists as a key priority.
However, the NHS has faced significant challenges, experiencing a demanding winter period marked by record-high waiting lists and staff strikes in response to soaring double-digit inflation.
Meanwhile, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is actively evaluating the potential use of Tirzepatide, a drug currently approved for diabetes treatment, as a potential solution for weight loss.
If granted a license in the near future, Tirzepatide could offer significant benefits in addressing obesity.
As part of the pilot programme, careful consideration will be given to the safe prescription of these drugs by general practitioners.
The objective is to explore how healthcare professionals outside of hospitals, such as general practitioners, can effectively and safely prescribe obesity medications.
Additionally, the pilot will assess how the NHS can provide necessary support either within the community or through digital platforms.
The government has acknowledged the NICE’s recommendation of the weight loss drug Semaglutide, also known as Wegovy.
However, the government highlights that NICE's advice suggests limited accessibility to the drug, as it recommends that it should only be available through specialist weight management services predominantly based in hospitals.
To address this concern and ensure wider access to Semaglutide, the government is actively exploring strategies to expand its availability beyond hospital settings.
By reevaluating the current restrictions, the aim is to create pathways that enable individuals to access Semaglutide through various healthcare channels, ultimately increasing accessibility and facilitating effective weight management.
(Reuters)
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session. (Photo: Hertfordshire Police /Handout via REUTERS)
Man pleads not guilty to murder of BBC presenter's family
A 26-year-old man has pleaded not guilty to charges of murdering the wife and two daughters of BBC sports commentator John Hunt in a crossbow and knife attack.
Kyle Clifford, who also faces charges of rape, appeared via video link at Cambridge Crown Court on Thursday.
Clifford, arrested in July after a manhunt, is charged with three counts of murder, one count each of rape and false imprisonment, and two counts of possessing offensive weapons – a 10-inch knife and a crossbow.
During the hearing, Clifford denied all the charges except for the rape charge, which was added to the indictment at the session.
He is expected to enter a plea for that charge at a later date.
The victims were Carol Hunt, 61, wife of horseracing commentator John Hunt, and their daughters Louise, 25, and Hannah, 28.
An earlier hearing revealed that Louise had been found tied up and that both she and her sister had been shot with a crossbow, while their mother had been stabbed with a knife.
The fatal attack occurred at the family’s home in Bushey, a commuter town near Watford, northwest of London.
(With inputs from AFP)