Join us on Wednesday 2nd October 2024, 19:00-20:00, for a presentation from Professor John Wilding on Challenges in implementing new pharmacotherapies for obesity in the NHS, followed by a Q+A session chaired by Professor Rob Andrews.
We now have new medicines to support the treatment of people with obesity. Two of these, liraglutide and semaglutide, have NICE approval for use in specialist services, and a draft NICE technology appraisal is available for the most recently approved medicine, tirzepatide. Despite good evidence supporting their clinical effectiveness and NICE approval, most people attending specialist services are not able to access these treatments. This is partly due to constraints on supply, but the greatest challenge has been approval by ICBs, as there is no ring-fenced budget for these treatments, and specialist service capacity and availability is limited and many people are not even able to access these services.
In this webinar we will discuss these challenges and consider how clinicians might work with commissioners to make these treatments available to those most in need as an initial step, with a plan to expand availability and access over time.
Professor John Wilding
Professor John Wilding leads clinical research into Obesity, Diabetes and Endocrinology at the University of Liverpool, where he has worked since 1996, after training in Southampton and London. His clinical interests focus on caring for people with diabetes and obesity and he leads specialist services for obesity at Aintree University Hospital – designated a Centre for Obesity Management by the European Association for the Study of Obesity.
John’s research team focusses on developing and evaluating treatments for obesity and type 2 diabetes. He has published over 350 papers, chapters and review articles, including clinical trials in diabetes and obesity, as well as studies of adipocyte biology and metabolism.
He has advised NICE and NHS England on various aspects of obesity care. He is a past Chair of the UK Association for the Study of Obesity, and past President of the World Obesity Federation.
Professor Rob Andrews
Rob Andrews is an associate Professor at the University of Exeter, an Honorary Consultant Physician at Musgrove Park Hospital Taunton.
At the University he leads a group that researches the role that exercise, and diet can play in the prevention and management of diabetes and obesity.
In Taunton, he leads the diabetes and obesity Research team. Until last year he was the medical lead for a large multidisciplinary weight management service. This is a holistic service offering specialised dietary and exercise programs, drug therapy and bariatric surgery as well as running clinics for people with eating disorders and complications post surgery. In recognition of this service, Taunton is designated an International Centre of Excellence for Bariatric Surgery.