The Wegovy pill has been a game-changer for David Clarke, a 40-year-old from Brooklyn, New York City. Clarke, who has struggled with weight control since childhood, found an immediate solution to his food cravings within hours of taking the pill. The reduction in food cravings is one of the reasons why the Wegovy pill has been one of the most anticipated drug launches of all time. American drugmaker Eli Lilly has developed a GLP-1 pill called orforglipron, which may be available in the UK by the end of 2026. The Wegovy pill is expected to be the first of many. The Wegovy pill was approved based on clinical trial data where participants lost 14-17 per cent of their body weight over the course of 64 weeks. Injections have proved slightly more effective – obese individuals taking the highest dose of the Wegovy jab lost nearly 19 per cent of their body weight over 72 weeks. The Wegovy pill is providing a renewed sense of optimism for those who can get hold of it. Clarke says that, in total, he hopes to lose at least 16kg (two stone and seven pounds), but he’s also accepting of the fact that he may need to take the pills at least intermittently on a long-term basis, to keep his weight in check. However, there are concerns about the misuse of GLP-1 pills and the lack of oversight as to whether people attempting to purchase these drugs actually meet the criteria for clinical obesity or being overweight with at least one weight-related health condition. The NHS is struggling to even issue the injections at the present time, and there are no significant weight loss management clinics. Dr Semiya Aziz, an NHS GP and founder of the private service Say GP, says that despite the buzz around GLP-1 pills, she can’t see the NHS offering them anytime soon. The Wegovy pill is designed to be offered alongside dietary change and exercise, but some people taking GLP-1s can end up becoming undernourished, something which can worsen their underlying health. Bligh says that while some people are promoting GLP-1 drugs in conjunction with fasting and time-restricted eating, this can be dangerous. Instead, people consuming them still need to be eating three meals a day, getting high-quality sources of protein such as eggs, chicken and dairy, as well as plenty of fibre to ensure that they’re getting sufficient amounts of key vitamins and minerals. The Wegovy pill is a promising solution to the obesity crisis, but it is not a panacea. Solutions are very much needed given that two-thirds of all over-16s in England are now either overweight or obese. Yet, at the same time, obesity rates are highest among low-income populations, those least likely to be able to afford a private prescription. The Wegovy pill is a step in the right direction, but it is not a silver bullet. It is important to address the underlying causes of obesity and to provide access to weight loss management services for all.
