The rapid growth in use of weight loss injections such as Wegovy and Mounjaro will be a key focus of a new parliamentary inquiry into how the government can tackle the ‘obesity epidemic’, the House of Commons Health and Social Care Committee has announced.

An estimated 1.5 million people in the UK currently use weight management medications, but concerns have been raised in the government’s 10-year health plan that there is a risk these treatments could become accessible only to those who can afford them, despite higher levels of need among less affluent patients.

The cross-party inquiry, launched on 17 July, will investigate whether weight loss medications represent good value for money to the NHS compared with other treatment options.

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Polling commissioned by the National Pharmacy Association found that 44% of adults support the NHS making weight loss injections free through their community pharmacy.

As part of the announced inquiry, MPs will also examine how effectively NHS weight management services function, including whether patients have fair and equitable access to treatment.

Alongside treatment options, the inquiry will consider public health interventions aimed at preventing obesity, exploring why existing food and diet policies have not succeeded in reducing obesity rates.

In 2022, 64% of adults in England were either overweight or living with obesity.

Acting committee chair Paulette Hamilton MP said: ‘Obesity and excess weight are at seriously high levels across the population, impacting individuals’ quality of life, their health and their work, and putting demands on the NHS and social care.

‘This inquiry will examine both prevention and treatment, including the new possibilities and challenges presented by weight management medications.’

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She added: ‘The government has said it will be “launching a moonshot to end the obesity epidemic”. Our inquiry will examine what this means in practice and explore what sort of initiatives the government should be backing.’

Committee member Alex McIntyre MP, who himself experienced significant weight loss through NHS treatment, said: ‘I know first-hand the difficulties of trying to maintain a healthy weight.

‘From my personal experience, I can speak for the transformative effect of NHS weight management pathways, but there are lots of other treatment approaches, and our committee is keen to explore all of them.’

The inquiry has been announced amid high demand for weight loss injections. Over 1.4 million packs of Wegovy and Mounjaro were supplied through pharmacies in April, according to IQVIA analysis.

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In addition, prime minister Sir Keir Starmer recently promised a 'stronger focus' on new weight loss treatments provided through pharmacies in his speech announcing the government's 10-year plan for the NHS.

As part of the inquiry, the committee has launched a call for evidence and a survey intended to understand the experiences of people living with obesity or excess weight, and the reality for them when it comes to accessing support and treatment and the challenges that they face in maintaining a healthy diet.