UK (Parliament Politics Magazine) – Experts warn of weight regain, urging the NHS to provide structured support for those stopping Wegovy or Mounjaro treatment.
As reported by The Independent, health experts warn that patients risk regaining weight after coming off weight-loss jabs like Wegovy and Mounjaro.
NICE views on post-treatment weight regain
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence said individuals are likely to regain weight after ending weight-loss treatment without proper follow-up.
It stressed the need for follow-up care to help patients keep weight off after stopping weight-loss drugs. The new support measures are intended for patients receiving weight-loss treatment through the NHS.
Around 1.5 million people in Britain are using weight-loss jabs, but the majority pay privately and won’t receive NHS support after treatment ends.
The NHS is set to provide Mounjaro, also known as tirzepatide, to approximately 240,000 of the most in-need patients over the next three years.
The health watchdog has recommended that NHS patients should receive a year of continued care, including extra support if required.
The latest guidelines from NICE outline how health providers in England and Wales should help patients through structured post-treatment support.
What did Professor Jonathan Benger say about life after weight-loss treatment?
Professor Jonathan Benger, deputy chief executive and chief medical officer at Nice, said,
“Successful weight management doesn’t end when medication stops or when someone completes a behavioural programme.”
He stated,
“We know that the transition period after treatment is crucial, and people need structured support to maintain the positive changes they’ve made.”
Mr Benger added,
“This new standard makes sure services provide that vital continuity of care, and it supports the NHS 10 Year Plan to shift from a ‘sickness service’ to a genuine health service focused on prevention.”
What did Dr Rebecca Payne say about long-term weight support?
Dr Rebecca Payne, head of Nice’s Quality Standards Advisory Committee, said,
“Weight management is a long-term journey, not a short-term fix. The evidence is clear that advice and support for maintaining weight after stopping medicines or completing behavioural interventions can help prevent weight regain and enable people to experience lasting benefits.”
She stated,
“We’ve seen excellent examples of services that already provide comprehensive discharge planning and ongoing support,”
Adding,
“This quality standard will help ensure all healthcare providers adopt these best practices, giving every person the best chance of maintaining their weight management success over the long term. This standard ensures healthcare services are equipped to provide that essential ongoing support.”
What did Henry Gregg say about pharmacies and fat jabs?
Henry Gregg, chief executive of the National Pharmacy Association, stated,
“Pharmacies take their responsibilities seriously to provide full wrap-around support to patients trying to achieve a healthy weight.”
He said,
“We know that although medication can be effective in speeding up weight loss in some people, it is not a silver bullet and patients need to make long-term lifestyle changes to make their weight loss sustainable.”
Mr Gregg added,
“The current NHS rollout of weight loss treatment is very small, with only a handful of patients receiving it, and it will continue to be the case that the vast majority of eligible patients will be seen by their pharmacy.”
What did Kamila Hawthorne say about obesity care?
Professor Kamila Hawthorne, chairwoman of the Royal College of GPs, stated,
“There is no one-size-fits-all approach to tackling obesity – what works for one patient will likely not work for another and, as with any medication, weight-loss drugs do not come without risk.”
She said,
“It’s also the case that patients will likely need support to sustain their weight loss once they stop taking the medication. As such, this is important and sensible guidance from Nice.”
Ms Hawthorne added,
“As a college, we’ve been clear that whilst weight loss medications have significant potential benefits for patients who are struggling to lose weight, they mustn’t be seen as a ‘silver bullet’ and ensuring access to sufficient ‘wraparound’ services – particularly for when patients come off their medication – will be key to optimal health outcomes.”
What did the NHS say about weight-loss drug support?
An NHS spokesman stated,
“While these new treatments are excellent at supporting weight loss, they’re not a magic bullet and must be paired with wraparound support, including advice on healthier diets and physical activity to see sustainable results, so we welcome new guidance on this for local services.”
They added,
“The NHS is already supporting hundreds of thousands of people to lose weight through our 12-week digital weight management programme, and we are expanding this to 125,000 more people per year, so doubling the number of people who can access it, as part of the 10-year health plan.”
Key facts about weight-loss jab usage in the UK
- Users: 1.5M people in the UK use Wegovy or Mounjaro.
- NHS rules: Only for those with high BMI or health issues.
- Private cost: £200–£300/month; £210M spent by 2025.
- Results: Lose 14–20% weight, but gain it back after stopping.
- Side effects: Nausea, vomiting; rare cases of pancreatitis.
Foods and habits to reduce weight
- Cook at home – helps lose 2x more weight
- Avoid UPFs – like bars, ready meals, sandwiches
- Fewer cravings – with fresh, simple foods
- Eat fewer calories – without trying
- More fat loss – on minimally processed diets
- Whole foods fill more – processed ones don’t
- Best picks – fruits, veggies, nuts, pulses