VerbatimParliament, as it happens

Obesity: Drugs

Asked by Lisa SmartLiberal DemocratDepartment of Health and Social CareTabled Answered 8 September 2025UIN 72199

The question

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he has made an assessment of the potential merits of extending eligibility for weight-loss drugs to people who are pre-diabetic.

Answered by Karin Smyth

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is the independent body that develops evidence-based recommendations on whether new licensed medicines should be routinely funded by the National Health Service. The NHS in England is legally required to fund medicines recommended by NICE. NICE has recommended several medicines licensed for weight loss for use on the NHS for patients meeting specified clinical criteria. People with prediabetes may be eligible for treatment with weight loss medicines if they meet the other criteria specified in NICE’s guidance.

Verbatim has judged this answer against the question that was actually asked — answered, partly answered, or evaded. Sign in to see the verdict →

Open this question in Verbatim →

Every written question, searchable

155,000 questions tabled since the election, with the answer each department gave — and the ones still unanswered, with the clock running. Free to search.

Search written questions →Read on Verbatim