In August 2025, the UK government and Lilly announced a programme of up to £85 million to test new approaches to obesity care. The package combined £50 million of government funding with up to £35 million from Lilly.
What the programme sought to explore
Proposed approaches included community access points such as pharmacies and digital services. The intention was to examine how support could be organised around patients while gathering evidence about clinical outcomes, accessibility and value.
Pilots rather than a universal service
The announcement described local NHS organisations bidding to run projects, with some patient access anticipated from summer 2026. It did not mean that every pharmacy would immediately provide the same service or that everyone would qualify for medication.
Care within a pathway
The programme covered broader weight-management support as well as clinically appropriate treatment. Eligibility and arrangements depended on the participating service and relevant clinical guidance. The announcement is best understood as a plan to test delivery models, with further decisions informed by evaluation.
