Government and Lilly launch UK-wide £85M programme to tackle obesity with pharmacies & digital access

Tens of thousands of people living with obesity could soon benefit from easier access to innovative weight management services, under a new £85 million health programme announced today (Tuesday 12 August).

The initiative – jointly backed by up to £50 million from the UK government and £35 million in grant funding from pharmaceutical giant Lilly – will trial new ways for patients to receive comprehensive, holistic care.

These could include pharmacy-based support, digital health tools, and community-based services, making weight management help more accessible wherever patients live.

The scheme aims to ease pressure on the NHS and GPs by focusing on prevention, while also helping more people living with obesity to engage fully in work and everyday life. It forms part of the government’s Plan for Change mission to rebuild the health system and improve the nation’s health.

Under the programme, NHS organisations will be invited to submit proposals for funding, with at least £10 million ring-fenced for projects in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. Services could begin in participating areas as early as summer 2026.

The long-term goal is to reduce the estimated £11 billion annual cost to the NHS of treating obesity-related ill health. The collaboration stems from a landmark agreement between the government and Lilly at the 2024 International Investment Summit, which could generate up to £279 million of investment.

Government and NHS leaders back initiative

Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said:

“New ways of accessing support to tackle obesity, such as through pharmacies or with help from digital tools, could be transformational for people’s quality of life, and for society – allowing individuals to more easily manage their weight and freeing them from ill-health that holds them back in daily life – while reducing the strain on our NHS.

“This programme also underlines life sciences’ critical value to our Plan for Change and our modern Industrial Strategy. By working hand-in-hand with one of the world’s largest life sciences companies, we are driving investment into the UK and tackling one of the greatest health challenges of our era.”

Health Secretary Wes Streeting added:

“Obesity is now one of the leading causes of ill health, costing the NHS billions. Yet, we now have the science, technology and knowledge to help tackle the obesity epidemic, if we seize this opportunity.

“As we shift our focus from treatment to prevention with our 10 Year Health Plan we are also determined to bring revolutionary modern care to everyone that needs it, not just those who can afford to pay.

“This collaboration will help patients living with obesity in a matter of months – through testing better access to weight loss services and treatments.”

Industry and clinical support

Professor Rachel Batterham, Senior Vice President for International Medical Affairs at Lilly, said:

“The launch of this programme marks an important milestone in advancing new models of care for obesity. At Lilly, we are deeply committed to addressing the complex health challenge of obesity, and we are pleased to collaborate with the UK government and NHS partners.

“Together, we aim to build an evidence base that could transform health outcomes for people living with obesity.”

NHS England national medical director Dr Claire Fuller commented:

“Obesity is one of the biggest public health challenges we face and costs the NHS billions of pounds every year, so this collaboration between government and industry to drive new ways of supporting people with obesity could make a huge difference.”

How the programme will work

Healthcare providers such as Integrated Care Boards will be able to bid for funding to pilot innovative obesity care models outside existing specialist weight management services, increasing capacity and preventing bottlenecks.

The programme, delivered with Innovate UK, will explore ways to deliver wraparound support – from face-to-face advice in pharmacies to online services and, where appropriate, access to obesity treatments.

Eligibility for services will be determined locally by clinicians in line with national NHS standards, ensuring care is tailored to community needs. A key aim is to make support available to everyone who could benefit, regardless of background.

This builds on the Weight Management Pathway Design Accelerator, which recently funded 23 projects across the UK exploring personalised community-based approaches to weight management.