There’s no doubt about it: GLP-1 drugs, such as Ozempic and Mounjaro, have been nothing short of revolutionary. Those that take them lose an average of 15 to 20 per cent of their body weight — levels previously only seen with bariatric surgery (such as a gastric band). For many people living with obesity, these weight loss drugs have provided the answer they were searching for.
But many people don’t want to continue taking them forever — especially once they’ve achieved their desired level of weight loss. This can be for multiple reasons: cost is at the forefront for many (these drugs aren’t widely available on the NHS); unpleasant side effects can put others off; and for some it’s about wanting to enjoy food again — it’s common for people to report losing the pleasure they used to derive from eating, a key part of all our lives. As of September 1, Mounjaro has had a price rise of almost 170%, after pressure from US president Donald Trump to bring the UK in line with higher prices in other countries.
