New weight-loss jabs could get people “back into work” to boost the economy, the prime minister has said.
Sir Keir Starmer said injections could also help reduce pressure on the NHS.
“I think these drugs could be very important for our economy and for health,” the prime minister told BBC Breakfast.
“This drug will be very helpful to people who want to lose weight, need to lose weight, very important for the economy so people can get back into work.
“Very important for the NHS because, as I’ve said time and again, yes, we need more money for our NHS, but we’ve got to think differently.
“We’ve got to reduce the pressure on the NHS. So this will help in all of those areas.”
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Health Secretary Wes Streeting has suggested the jabs could be given to unemployed people to help them return to the workplace.
Mr Streeting, writing in The Telegraph, said: “Our widening waistbands are also placing significant burden on our health service, costing the NHS £11bn a year – even more than smoking. And it’s holding back our economy.
“Illness caused by obesity causes people to take an extra four sick days a year on average, while many others are forced out of work altogether.”
The health secretary also told Sky News’ Politics Hub with Sophy Ridge on Monday the jabs should not be used to get the “Instagram perfect body”.
Researchers will examine the “real-world effectiveness” of Mounjaro, also known as tirzepatide, over a five-year period, as officials announced plans for new trials of the impact of the injections on getting people back to work.
A study by Health Innovation…
