New Weight Loss Drug

[Taf]

According to the article those taking this medication lost an average of 4kg (8.8lb) over 40 months. 5-10% of their body weight.

At a cost of "about $220-290 (£155-225) per month". So about $8,800 - $11,600 (£6,200 - £9000) for the 40 months per person.

I lost 5kg (11lb) in 4 weeks by reducing bread, pasta and rice intake. About 5% of my body weight. Cost negative as I paid for less food.

Is N.I.C.E. likely to allow this medication on prescription?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/health-45319393

Taf finding a way to title a thread to keep the mods on their toes.......It was very close to going right in junk!

---------- Post added at 18:58 ---------- Previous post was at 18:54 ----------

As for NICE it will be interesting. The benefit economically is massive though since obesity causing an absurd amount of cost to the NHS. I think issues relating to weight and diabetes is 2nd only to old age care in terms of cost.

But the question is if it can be maintained. Losing weight is one thing but keeping it off is another and it's very common for people to return to their pre-diet weight after they've stopped dieting. It's only effective as a precursor to a permanent change in diet. The NHS can't keep paying this for life so maybe it's only prescribed as part of a bigger program for patients.

[heero_yuy]

Quote from Damien:

But the question is if it can be maintained. Losing weight is one thing but keeping it off is another and it's very common for people to return to their pre-diet weight after they've stopped dieting. It's only effective as a precursor to a permanent change in diet. The NHS can't keep paying this for life so maybe it's only prescribed as part of a bigger program for patients.

Dieting is only part of the solution, just returning to the pigging after weight loss will just put it on again as that's how you turned into a lard ass in the first place.

Pills are not an easy quick fix option and though they might be helpful in mitigating the hunger pangs it really needs a total lifestyle change.

[Lutherf]

My experience in losing weight is that it requires a lifestyle change, not just medication. It's taken me 2 years to lose roughly 5 stone and I've got another 5 to go but diet and exercise have been the key thus far. The one change that has been most beneficial is to change my eating habits so that I don't eat full meals at night. I eat a hearty breakfast, a reasonable lunch and a moderate dinner (generally speaking). Cutting back dramatically on sugars and foods with a high glycemic index has also helped as has introducing substantially more high fiber food.

I know a lot of people who have been helped by medication and surgery but it seems to be the lifestyle change that keeps weight off. As others have mentioned, it's just too easy to slip back into routines that allow weight to accumulate.

[Taf]

But up to £9,000 to lose only 4kg over more than 3 years?

That seems an absurd waste of money.

Originally Posted by Taf

But up to £9,000 to lose only 4kg over more than 3 years?

That seems an absurd waste of money.

It does, and at that price if NICE allows it at all it’s going to be a drug of last resort. I’ve managed to lose 7lbs just this month, admittedly it wasn’t hard because I’ve resorted to slim-fast shakes as a quick fix and in any case, I piled it on on holiday and my normal daily routine and appetite wouldn’t have sustained that weight anyway. But the point is, if you make any changes at all to your diet and routine, you can shed half a stone without too much trouble. Getting the first half stone off is no reason for a fanfare and it certainly isn’t worth £9,000. If this miracle drug has slimmed a fatty from 20st to 10st in 40 months, well then that would be different.

[Mr_love_monkey]

They could pay people to go to the gym. Pay them per mile on the running machine, and probably still spend less, and the people would lose more weight.

Tell them they can have a brand new TV on the NHS every 18 months for life if they adhere to a weight loss and maintenance programme. That would be cheaper.

[Chloé Palmas]

Originally Posted by Mr_love_monkey

They could pay people to go to the gym. Pay them per mile on the running machine, and probably still spend less, and the people would lose more weight.

Isn't there already some program or another on the NHS that incentivizes people to use a gym, by giving away free memberships etc?

I think Doctors can prescribe gym memberships, or reduced cost memberships, for gyms run by local authorities/councils.

[Chloé Palmas]

Originally Posted by Chris

Tell them they can have a brand new TV on the NHS every 18 months for life if they adhere to a weight loss and maintenance programme. That would be cheaper.

It would work on many levels - if they just took medication then they could continue to sit on their ass all day, watching TV!

Originally Posted by Chloé Palmas

It would work on many levels - if they just took medication then they could continue to sit on their ass all day, watching TV!

I bet more people would stick to the diet for a free TV than free gym membership...

[Chloé Palmas]

This works for now, until the cost of the TV becomes more expensive than the drug...even though they have plummeted in recent months and years.

Instead of drug makers recapitalizing off the backs of the British taxpayers, Asian electronics firms can, instead!