Thousands of people set to be given free weight loss jabs

Thousands of Scots will be offered free weight loss jabs in a multi-million pound study led by Glasgow University. Up to 5,000 obese people living in Scotland's most deprived areas will be offered the jab as part of government-funded research into obesity, where the "burden of obesity is greatest".

The UK government has provided an initial £650,000 for the Scotland CardioMetabolic Impact Study (SCoMIS), which aims to test how medicines can be delivered effectively and fairly in everyday NHS care. With obesity linked to long-term illness such as heart disease, tackling this is hoped to help millions live healthier lives and reduce the pressure on the NHS health services, so it could lead to a wider rollout throughout the country.

UK Health Innovation Minister Dr Zubir Ahmed said: "As a practicing NHS surgeon and Glasgow MP, I know firsthand the impact of the obesity crisis that plagues Scotland - and the litany of health problems it leads to.

"More than 1 in 3 adults in Scotland's most deprived areas are living with obesity. The UK government is committed to tackling inequality wherever it finds it in our country.

"It's why this landmark UK government investment is targeting help where it's needed most in Scotland and meeting people where they are and backing helping the NHS services they trust to treat them."

The jabs copy or boost the effects of natural hormones that control blood sugar levels, and are prescribed to patients with diabetes. They act on areas of the brain that impact hunger and appetite.

Jason Gill, who is leading the study as professor of cardiometabolic health at Glasgow University, said incretin therapies are a "powerful new tool to the national obesity strategy", while acknowledging it requires multifactorial public health action.

"The burden of obesity is greatest in the most deprived segments of society and the status quo risks widening health inequalities," she added.

The study will also investigate whether improved health through weight loss can help people stay in work, reduce sick leave, and participate more fully in society.

It will aim to measure the level of weight loss and any improvements in quality of life, and any impact on obesityrelated illness, NHS use, and overall healthcare costs.

It will be launched next year and will involve clinical leaders at the Universities of Dundee and Edinburgh, and industry leaders Novo Nordisk and IQVIA.