U.S. pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly is investing £279 million ($364 million) in the U.K. to tackle health challenges, including obesity. They will conduct a real-world study to understand the impact of their obesity drugs on weight loss, diabetes prevention, and related complications, as well as participants’ employment status. The collaboration with the U.K.’s Department of Health and Social Care aims to inform the National Health Services’ treatment of obesity. The U.K. is facing high economic inactivity rates, with obesity contributing to long-term sickness and economic burden.
The partnership is seen as crucial for building a healthier society and economy, making the NHS sustainable. Using obesity drugs to improve health outcomes and get people back to work is seen as a valuable approach. Some experts, however, raise concerns about prioritizing economic outcomes over health needs.
Eli Lilly’s investment also includes launching an innovation accelerator to support early-stage life sciences businesses in developing transformative medicines and technologies. The company plans to invest an additional £279 million in the U.K. over the coming years. The use cases for obesity drugs are expanding, with regulators approving them for treating obesity-related conditions. Despite potential ethical and efficacy concerns, the evidence supporting the use of weight-loss drugs is growing, and the partnership between Eli Lilly and the U.K. government aims to address the country’s health challenges.
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