Wegovy. The NHS went private.
The biggest weight loss drug in the world is now behind the counter at Boots, for 79 quid a month, because the NHS can't afford to give it to you.
THE GIST ON WEGOVY: "The NHS Went Private"
What just went on sale in UK pharmacies?
Wegovy tablets went on sale in UK pharmacies this week. The biggest weight loss drug in the world, behind the counter at Boots. £79 a month, without a GP appointment. Because the NHS can't afford to give it to you.
How many people are paying for weight loss drugs?
About 1.6 million people in the UK are currently paying for weight loss drugs. The NHS is funding one in six of them.
This week Wegovy launched in tablet form, and every major pharmacy chain is stocking it. They all have their own doctors writing prescriptions.
What is NHS unbundling?
It's a prime example. A pharmacy launch, not a policy announcement. It has all gone private, and the biggest medical category of the decade is on the high street with its own doctor attached.
The high street is running a private healthcare system in parallel. It hasn't been planned and it hasn't been voted for, yet it's the biggest shift in British healthcare since the NHS was founded.
Why is this happening?
Because the NHS doesn't cover as much as it used to. Every year the budget rises, and every year the list of things it can actually deliver shrinks.
The NHS can only afford to fund this for a sixth of the people who need it. What we used to call universal healthcare is just a queue with an exit. How long have you been queuing?
Should weight-loss jabs be sold over the counter?
Your take. One tap, then see how everyone else voted.
Quick answers
How much do Wegovy tablets cost in UK pharmacies?
£79 a month, without a GP appointment.
How many people in the UK pay for weight loss drugs?
About 1.6 million. The NHS funds one in six of them.
What is NHS unbundling?
The NHS covering less while pharmacies fill the gap, so a product launch does the work of a policy and healthcare quietly goes private.
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