In an ambitious initiative, U.S. pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly has announced plans to test whether weight loss drugs, particularly their GLP-1 treatments like Zepbound and Mounjaro, can help combat not just obesity, but also unemployment in the United Kingdom. This decision comes as part of a broader strategic collaboration with the U.K. government aimed at addressing the country’s pressing health and economic challenges.
On Monday, Eli Lilly committed £279 million ($364 million) to help the U.K. manage its growing obesity crisis, which has been linked to high rates of economic inactivity. The collaboration, endorsed by the U.K.’s Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) and the Department for Science, Innovation, and Technology (DSIT), is a centerpiece of a £63 billion investment package revealed during the Labour government’s inaugural International Investment Summit.
A “Real-World” Trial for Obesity Drugs
Eli Lilly’s initiative will see the launch of a five-year “real-world” study conducted in partnership with Health Innovation Manchester. The trial will investigate how the company’s GLP-1 treatments, including tirzepatide, affect not only weight loss and obesity-related complications but also employment status and workforce productivity. This focus on job retention and absenteeism is a unique element, as obesity has been a major factor in the U.K.’s labor force struggles, with many individuals suffering from long-term health conditions that prevent them from working.
According to Eli Lilly’s press release, the study aims to expand the evidence base on the impact of obesity treatments on patients’ overall quality of life. A key component of this trial will be exploring how the use of drugs like Zepbound can help reduce the number of sick days people take due to obesity-related health issues, while also examining how weight loss could influence individuals’ employment prospects.
Professor Rachel Batterham, senior vice president for International Medical Affairs at Eli Lilly, highlighted the potential broader outcomes of this collaboration, stating, “This collaboration will add to the evidence base on the real-world impact of obesity treatments on the health of people with obesity and will explore a broad range of outcomes including health-related quality of life and impact on individuals’ employment status.”
Addressing Economic Inactivity Through Healthcare
The U.K. is currently grappling with a significant problem of “economic inactivity,” defined as those who are neither working nor actively seeking employment. A substantial portion of this inactivity stems from long-term illness, with obesity playing a major role. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated pre-existing conditions, contributing to a surge in individuals unable to work due to health reasons.
In an op-ed for The Telegraph, British Health and Social Care Minister Wes Streeting described the growing burden of obesity on the National Health Service (NHS), costing an estimated £11 billion annually. He emphasized that obesity is not only a health issue but also an economic one, with overweight individuals taking an average of four additional sick days per year compared to healthier peers.
Streeting noted that while these new weight-loss treatments could be “monumental” in addressing the obesity crisis and improving workforce participation, the NHS alone cannot shoulder the financial burden of what he described as “unhealthy lifestyles.” He stressed the importance of lifestyle changes alongside medical treatments.
Expanding the Role of Weight Loss Drugs
The use of obesity drugs like those developed by Eli Lilly has expanded rapidly, with regulators increasingly approving GLP-1 medications for a wider range of conditions related to obesity. Speaking to CNBC, Citi pharmaceuticals analyst Peter Verdault noted the growing body of evidence supporting the efficacy of weight loss drugs in treating not just obesity but also its related health conditions, including diabetes.
However, not everyone is entirely comfortable with the growing link between medical treatments and economic productivity. Dr. Dolly van Tulleken, a visiting researcher at the University of Cambridge’s MRC Epidemiology Unit, expressed concern about the ethical implications of such studies. She noted on BBC Radio 4’s Today program that measuring individuals based on their potential economic value rather than their health needs could pose ethical dilemmas.
Investment in Innovation
In addition to the obesity drug trial, Eli Lilly will establish its first “Lilly Gateway Labs” innovation accelerator in Europe. This facility is designed to support early-stage life sciences companies in the development of new medicines and technologies. Eli Lilly has also pledged to invest an additional £279 million in the U.K. over the coming years.
The company’s broader aim is to not only revolutionize the treatment of obesity but also contribute to the growth of the U.K.’s life sciences sector, a key focus area for the government.
Conclusion
Eli Lilly’s investment and trial in the U.K. could reshape the country’s approach to tackling obesity and unemployment. By exploring the dual impact of weight loss drugs on health and workforce participation, this strategic collaboration has the potential to bring about lasting changes in both healthcare and economic productivity. However, as the trial progresses, it will be essential to carefully consider the ethical and health implications of using medical treatments to address economic issues.
