2024 was a breakthrough year for weight loss drugs, with numerous celebrities and influencers endorsing the products, and 2025 is looking to hold continued publicity. Over the past 30 days, searches for ‘how do weight loss drugs work’ have increased by a staggering 5,000%.
But behind the hype, a new survey by ZAVA reveals a stark reality: accessibility remains a major hurdle, and affordability is holding many Brits back from trying these medications.
Is the weight loss injections boom leaving Brits behind?
Almost a third (29%) of Brits find weight loss drugs easy to access, which could be about to change, as regulators look to tighten the criteria for obtaining the drugs, due to inappropriate prescriptions being given. Currently, over one in five Brits find weight loss drugs difficult to access, which could be set to increase with these new regulations. However, almost half of Brits (46%) are unsure on the accessibility of weight loss drugs, demonstrating that there is still much uncertainty despite the large amount of media coverage around these medications.
But are these accessibility concerns heightened by affordability issues?
Interestingly, almost half of Brits (49%) are willing to spend up to £80 a month on weight loss drugs, with 19% of these respondents only willing to spend up to £30. However, with the average cost of many weight loss drugs starting at around £130 per month, it seems some Brits may be limited in accessibility due to the cost of these medications exceeding their budget.
Crystal Wyllie, a doctor at ZAVA, provides her insight on accessibility: “The surge in interest around weight loss drugs is undeniable, but accessibility and affordability remain key barriers. Many patients eligible for NHS prescriptions don’t meet the strict criteria, as they are typically only prescribed to those who are most in need, and have other weight-related health conditions such as pre-diabetes and high blood pressure, while private costs remain high. It’s crucial to ensure that people seeking these medications receive safe, regulated options, rather than turning to risky alternatives.”
What are Brits main motivations for taking weight loss drugs?
Over one in ten (11%) Brits cite that their main reason for taking a weight loss drug would be to lose weight quickly. However, one in six (15%) would take a weight loss drug to improve their appearance or boost their confidence, whilst just a tenth (10%) of Brits cite reasons for improving their overall health as their key motivation.
Where do influencers and social media fit in?
Despite viral TikToks and high-profile endorsements, the influence of social media on Brits’ decisions about weight loss drugs may be overstated. Only 3% say they feel pressured by online trends, while medical advice remains a stronger motivator than influencer promotion.
Wyllie comments: “The surge in interest around weight loss drugs that swept through 2024 has very much continued into 2025. However, in the age of social media it can be hard to distinguish what advice to follow and what to ignore. It is reassuring to see that more people in the UK would take a weight loss drug due to legitimate medical advice, rather than social media pressure.
“The growth in recognition and knowledge of these drugs in recent months has been positive, and we can see that stigmas around social media and false information are being increasingly ditched, as people look to find the most effective and safest advice for their health and weight loss journey.”
What’s next for Brits?
With growing demand but increasing regulatory scrutiny, the UK faces a pivotal moment in the weight loss drug conversation. Will pricing and policies evolve to meet public demand, or will these medications remain an exclusive option for the few who can afford them?
Interestingly, one in seven Brits state that they would rather lose weight naturally, than taking a weight loss drug (13%). However, almost a quarter (24%) cite concerns over side effects and long term health risks. Further information and medical insight on these products may therefore be needed, to help ease these concerns.
Just four percent of Brits state that they have not yet used a weight loss drug as they feel they are simply a passing trend, however, almost three in five (57%) would use one for various reasons such as improving health and decreasing risk of disease, to ease struggles with long-term weight loss, and recommendations from a doctor.
Wyllie states:“The next year will be key for further developments and information on weight loss drugs, and these could very well become a more mainstream health tool. However, it’s key to keep in mind that weight loss medications should be combined with healthy, sustainable habits like regular exercise, and a balanced diet, in order to achieve more satisfactory results and improved overall health.”