The approach of a magical weight loss medicine could be imminent, with Britain potentially leading the way in its adoption.
In a groundbreaking development, a new weight loss drug called Mounjaro, developed by American company Eli Lilly, is poised to revolutionise the healthcare landscape in the UK. This first-of-its-kind weight loss tablet, similar to Wegovy and Ozempic, contains semaglutide or tirzepatide, originally developed to support people with type 2 diabetes.
According to a study published in the journal Obesity, weight loss drugs like Mounjaro could lead to weight loss of up to 18 percent body weight over one to one and a half years. This potential weight loss could be a game changer not just for body shape, but for health and longevity.
The new drug, known as 'Orforglipron', has completed stage 3 clinical trials and is moving towards global regulatory submissions. In the latest round of testing, Orforglipron lowered weight by an average of 10.5 percent (22.9 lbs) compared to a 2.2 percent (5.1 lbs) weight loss with a placebo.
Mounjaro is administered by self-injection, taken once a week. A user named Jordan, who lost almost 20kg on Mounjaro, stated that the weight loss injections stopped the 'niggling little voices in [his] head' that undermined his weight loss efforts.
Despite the promising results, fewer than half of England's commissioning bodies have begun prescribing weight loss drugs on the NHS. Approximately 1.5 million people in the UK are currently using 'miracle' drugs like Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic.
The UK could be one of the first countries to get Mounjaro. However, Eli Lilly announced plans to increase the cost of Mounjaro by 170 percent in the UK from September, raising concerns about accessibility for many potential users.
In response, Health Secretary Wes Streeting has pledged to improve access to weight loss drugs. The development of Orforglipron is being coordinated with urgency by Kenneth Custer, executive vice president at Eli Lilly, who stated, 'Orforglipron is moving with urgency toward global regulatory submissions to potentially meet the needs of patients who are waiting.'
Meanwhile, the success of Mounjaro has put pressure on rival companies. Novo Nordisk, the maker of Wegovy, announced plans to cut 9,000 jobs this week, largely due to the success of Mounjaro.
These drugs target GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptors in the body, which plays a role in food processing. They work in three ways: slowing down digestion to help users feel fuller for longer, regulating blood sugar by triggering insulin release after meals, and working on the brain's hypothalamus to promote feelings of being full.
A Lancet study found that GLP-1s might also reduce the chance of heart attack, making these drugs potentially life-saving for many individuals. As the rollout of Mounjaro approaches, the UK healthcare system is poised to witness a significant shift in the treatment of obesity and related health issues.
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