Weight Loss Medication

Lord Winston Excerpts

Monday 21st July 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)]

Quite a few points were made there. I think the noble Lord is referring to reports about acute pancreatitis, for example. The MHRA has done a thorough review of the suspicions around these medicines. No new safety concerns were identified but, every time something comes up, it will be looked into. The noble Lord is absolutely right that we need to support the longitudinal studies that are happening, but going on beyond the initial licensing will also be critical. As I answered previously, work in other areas to encourage healthy lifestyles will be ongoing, and this will need to be taken seriously by patients from a very young age.

[Lord Winston (Lab)]

My Lords, the causes of obesity are many, not just one or two issues. Has my noble friend the Minister considered whether some sort of pilot programme looking at particular types of obesity might be sensible, just as the questioner has, in effect, already asked? I agree that the long-term effects are really important and must not be forgotten.

[Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)]

My noble friend raises an important point. I would not stand at the Front Bench and counter what he has said. I will be very happy to pick up his ideas after this session and look at all the innovative ways in which we can take future work forward.