New data reveal inequalities in access to private GLP-1 weight loss drugs as demand surges

New analysis of more than 113,000 patients using privately prescribed weight-loss drugs highlights significant inequalities in access to GLP-1 treatments and provides important insights for the NHS as they continue the rollout of these treatments.

Obesity rates in England remain persistently high, with prevalence in the most deprived areas double that of the least deprived. Prescriptions for GLP-1 weight loss drugs have risen sharply over the past 5 years. However, limited NHS availability has pushed many people toward private providers, raising questions about who is benefitting first from these new treatments.

NICE and NHS England set strict thresholds involving both body mass index (BMI) and presence of weight-related health conditions as conditions for prescribing. The BMI limits are lower for some minority ethnic groups because they face higher health risks at lower body weights. Although around 3.4 million adults meet NICE criteria for tirzepatide, NHS England’s phased rollout limits access to just 220,000 people initially, prioritising people with a very high BMI and multiple health conditions. Funding and capacity constraints mean that even eligible patients often cannot access treatment through the NHS. 

The Health Foundation, in collaboration with an online weight management provider, Voy, analysed 113,630 patients who received a private GLP-1 prescription between November 2024 and October 2025. Relative socioeconomic deprivation of patients was determined using postcode data to categorise by Index of Deprivation. 

GLP-1 treatments have been shown to significantly improve health outcomes for those living with obesity. With NHS provision currently limited, the patterns emerging in the private sector risk deepening existing health inequalities. The findings show that: 

• Private GLP-1 treatments are dominated by women in mid-life. Almost 8 in 10 prescriptions are for women, and the highest uptake is among people aged 30 to 49 years, falling sharply after age 60.
• People in the most deprived areas were accessing 32% fewer GLP-1 prescriptions than those in the least deprived. Given the much higher obesity levels in the most deprived areas the actual proportion of eligible people benefitting is even lower.
• People in more deprived areas tend to start treatment at higher BMI levels. Around 45% of individuals aged 30 to 49 years in the most deprived areas started treatment with a BMI of 35 or above, compared with around 30% in the least deprived areas. This suggests later intervention and a greater accumulation of health risks before treatment begins.

Private GLP-1 treatment use is currently concentrated among a relatively narrow demographic, as shown by the data. People living in deprived areas already face poorer health outcomes than those in more affluent areas, and men experience worse health outcomes than women. Yet these are the groups that have the lowest uptake of GLP-1 treatments. 

While GLP-1 treatments are an important clinical tool to tackle obesity for many individuals, they cannot become a substitute for the actions needed to prevent obesity in the first place. 

Focus should be on tackling the causes of obesity, through low-agency, population-level interventions such as taxation, advertising restrictions, reformulation and planning controls that benefit everyone.

Co-author Samantha Field, Senior Fellow (Prevention) at the Health Foundation, said:

‘With an estimated 2.4 million people in the UK already prescribed weight loss medications, our findings reveal a stark divide. The groups bearing the greatest burden of obesity are seeking GLP-1 treatments less frequently, and often at higher BMIs. The NHS should be taking these findings into account as the roll out of these medications progresses, to ensure they are reaching the people who are most in need of them.

‘Ensuring fair public provision is essential, but these medications address a problem that is preventable. It’s more important than ever that government retains focus on making the changes to our food environment that could prevent obesity occurring in the first place.’

Dr David Huang, Director of Clinical Innovation at Voy said: 

‘We’re pleased to have collaborated with the Health Foundation on this analysis to help improve transparency of health inequality in the UK. By providing real-world patient insights we can bring greater visibility and awareness to the barriers within the UK’s health system, and ultimately inform measurable steps to address the obesity crisis. 

‘Weight loss medication can have a life changing impact for eligible patients. Private providers like Voy play a crucial role in delivering clinically-led, safe treatment to those looking for immediate care and as NHS roll out evolves, we’re aware of our responsibility to enhance access to this type of care - and this extends beyond our private offering too.’