Weight-loss drugs not the ‘holy grail’ for obesity crisis, says NHS England director

Powis, NHS England’s medical director, said weight-loss drugs were ‘a welcome addition’ to existing treatments. Photograph: Toby Melville/PA

Weight-loss injections are not the “holy grail” of solving the obesity crisis, although they will play an important role in how the NHS treats the disease, the medical director of NHS England has said.

Speaking at a conference hosted by the King’s Fund on Wednesday, Prof Stephen Powis said weight loss drugs were revolutionary and “a very welcome addition to the everyday treatment options we have available within the NHS to manage obesity”.