Top experts have warned that an urgent review is needed to ensure Britons have access to weight-loss vaccines such as Wegovy and Mounjaro through the NHS.

A day earlier, the Prime Minister said such an injection could boost the UK economy Getting obese unemployed people “back to work”.

More than 200 doctors and experts have written to the health secretary saying NHS obesity services are stretched thin and facing unprecedented demand for the drugs.

They warn that the injection is just one part of a wider package of destigmatized care.

They say the government must address some fundamental issues in NHS obesity services - chronic underfunding, workforce challenges and unequal access to care.

Letter to Wes Streeting was written by Obesity Health Alliance The OHA (OHA), representing health charities and medical royal colleges, has produced a report.

Some patients may have to wait up to five years to access specialist support, and some services are so overwhelmed that they have closed waiting lists entirely, the report said.

OHA wants equitable access to obesity treatments, including weight loss injections.

There are reports of global stock shortages and in the UK the shot is currently only available on the NHS through specialist weight management services.

OHA warns that some patients are choosing to seek care, but many others are missing out on treatment.

According to the OHA, around 4 million people in England are eligible to receive Wegovy, but NHS forecasts estimate that by 2028, fewer than 50,000 people will be able to receive the treatment each year.

OHA Director Katharine Jenner said weight-loss shots work, but that's not all.

"Even if you're getting the vaccine, you still need extra care and support. You still need to exercise and get dietary advice, but that's not available yet.

"There are also concerns about who can access this drug. We need to make sure we prioritize access to this drug based on greatest clinical need rather than any other factor."

She added that OHA has heard of people who were denied access to treatment services because they were overweight.

"They have to seek private treatment but they don't get the care and support package they would expect if you had any other condition," she said.

"We need a review of existing NHS services to identify examples of really good best practice and identify the challenges that exist everywhere."

this About to be approved The report warns that if the NHS uses another injection called Mounjaro, dubbed King Kong by some because of its good results in trials, it is expected to put even more pressure on the system.

Alfie Slade, head of government affairs at OHA, said: “New weight loss drugs represent a breakthrough in treatment and offer hope to millions of people struggling to control their weight, but they also expose us to Weaknesses in current obesity services.

"Without urgent government intervention we will be unable to meet the needs of millions of patients, leading to greater health inequalities."

Despite these benefits, health experts warn that Wegovy and Mounjaro, which mimic a hormone that can reduce people's hunger, are not a quick fix. Patients must still exercise and watch their diet.

Users can regain their weight once they stop taking the medication.

And, as with any medication, there may be side effects.

Doctors are concerned that an increasing number of patients are developing complications from weight loss pills bought online without clinical supervision.

In many cases, people may not actually get what they think they get, which can be very dangerous.

OHA said public health measures to help prevent obesity in the first place are also critical, such as improving the nation's diet and helping children get enough exercise.

NHS England said it was working with government and industry to develop new services that mean approved treatments can be rolled out safely, effectively and cost-effectively.

A spokesman said the weight-loss drug would be "transformative" and, along with NHS early prevention initiatives, "help more people lose weight and reduce the risk of life-threatening diseases such as diabetes, heart disease and stroke".

A spokesman for the Department of Health and Social Care said obesity "costs the NHS more than £11 billion every year and places a heavy burden on our economy".

"With obesity-related conditions causing people to take more sick days, obesity drugs could be part of the solution," they said.

The spokesman also said restrictions on junk food advertising and a ban on the sale of high-caffeine energy drinks to children would help tackle the "obesity crisis".