Eli Lilly and Company and the UK Government have announced a joint programme to develop innovative models of care for obesity, backed by up to £85 million in funding.
The initiative includes a UK-wide competition inviting NHS organisations to submit proposals for new approaches to obesity care.
Selected entries will receive pilot funding to test and evaluate their models, with the aim of building an evidence base for scalable, efficient obesity support across the UK.
The programme is delivered in partnership with Innovate UK and encourages submissions from England, Wales, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
DSIT will provide up to £50 million, while Lilly will contribute up to £35 million, including at least £10 million earmarked for devolved nations. The funding is not intended to influence prescribing decisions.
Professor Rachel Batterham, Senior Vice President for International Medical Affairs at Lilly said: “The launch of this programme marks an important milestone in advancing new models of care for obesity.”
Science and Technology Secretary Peter Kyle said: “New ways of accessing support to tackle obesity, such as through pharmacies or with help from digital tools, could be transformational for people’s quality of life.”
Health and Social Care Secretary Wes Streeting said: “Obesity is now one of the leading causes of ill health, costing the NHS billions. Yet, we now have the science, technology and knowledge to help tackle the obesity epidemic, if we seize this opportunity.”
Obesity is estimated to cost the UK economy £74 billion annually, including £11 billion in direct NHS costs. The programme supports the Government’s Plan for Change and its ambition to create an NHS focused on prevention and modern care.
