Most London patients obtain their weight loss drugs privately, as the slow roll-out of these drugs through the NHS greatly limits their availability.[6] Although up to half a million Londoners could be eligible, only around 3,000 people in London were receiving it on the NHS in March 2026.[6] Across the UK, an estimated 1.4 million Britons each month access diet pills privately through non-NHS online pharmacies.[5] Criteria for access through the NHS are strict – patients must have a BMI of 40 or above and have been diagnosed with four of five weight-related conditions.[1] The uptake of drugs such as tirzepatide (Mounjaro) has been slow, and drugs are still not available in many parts of the country, creating a two-tiered system and increasing health inequalities.[1] Researchers warn that most people regain weight after stopping treatment, raising questions about the long-term sustainability of NHS funding for these drugs.[1][2]