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Abstract
By 2030, obesity may cost the NHS approximately £2 billion each year.
- Obesity prevalence in the U.K. is the highest in Europe.
- Lifestyle modification is the primary approach for obesity treatment, with medications serving as additional support.
- In 2009, 1.45 million prescriptions related to obesity were filled, indicating high demand for pharmacotherapy.
- Orlistat (Xenical) is currently the only approved long-term medication for obesity in the U.K.
- Clinical trials suggest that orlistat leads to significantly greater weight loss compared to placebo.
- The side effects of orlistat may limit its use, highlighting the need for better-tolerated obesity medications.
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