Partha Kar: Weight loss drugs have opened the door to a two tier health service (BMJ, 13 May 2025)

Summary

Obesity was once devalued in most areas of health policy but has recently taken centre stage in policy circles. Unfortunately, this renewed focus is not due to recognition of the increasing prevalence or a sudden appreciation of this issue. Instead, obesity has been thrust into the limelight because of the emergence of tirzepatide and other dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonists for weight loss. Partha Kar, a consultant in diabetes and endocrinology, looks at the policy and the wider issues and challenges in rolling it out.