The National Health Service (NHS) is considering a novel approach to combat the rising obesity crisis by potentially prescribing weight loss injections through online platforms. These platforms, including Liva, Oviva, Roczen, and Second Nature, aim to meet the surging demand for weight management services by utilizing virtual care delivery methods.
The recommendations have been made by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice) as part of their draft guidance. These platforms, accessible through apps or computers, bring together various specialists, including those providing psychological support, to offer comprehensive care online.
Some of these platforms, in addition to offering counselling and dietary guidance, also enable the prescription of weight loss injections like semaglutide or liraglutide (marketed as Wegovy and Saxenda respectively). These injections are intended to be used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and exercise regimen.
Mark Chapman, the interim director of medical technology and digital evaluation at Nice, highlighted the limitations of traditional face-to-face services in managing obesity due to overwhelming demand. Chapman stated, “Waiting lists are long, some areas don’t have a service, and patients need a solution.”
The virtual platforms are proposed to fill this gap by offering weight management support to those who lack access to specialist services or are currently on waiting lists. Chapman emphasized the potential of these platforms to extend care safely beyond the hospital setting.
Patients eligible for this virtual approach will undergo a clinical assessment before commencing treatment. Eligibility criteria include having at least one weight-related condition such as diabetes or high blood pressure, along with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of 35 or above.
This initiative comes in the wake of a five-year study by pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, which found that Wegovy (semaglutide) could potentially reduce the risk of heart attacks or strokes in obese patients with cardiovascular disease by 20%. While Wegovy is yet to launch in the UK, it was recommended by Nice as a weight management option for certain patients earlier this year.
According to Nice, up to 48,000 individuals could access these virtual services, potentially saving up to 145,000 hours of clinician time. This strategic integration of technology into healthcare aligns with the broader goal of the NHS to reduce waiting times and enhance patient care across the United Kingdom.
