A diabetes drug has been approved by a UK regulator to help obese and overweight adults lose weight.
Patients with weight-related health problems – such as prediabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol or heart problems – will have access to the drug Mounjaro privately after it was approved by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
It needs further approval from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) to be made available on the NHS.
Health Secretary Steve Barclay said: “Although further approvals are needed to use this in the NHS, Mounjaro has the potential to help thousands of people living with obesity and support those suffering from weight-related illnesses – if used alongside diet and physical activity.
“Tackling obesity could help cut waiting lists and save the NHS billions of pounds.”
The active ingredient in the drug – tirzepatide – works by making a patient feel full and less hungry, and making them experience fewer food cravings.
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The MHRA’s authorisation is based on the results of two clinical trials, one of which showed patients who received the highest dose of the drug lost 22.5% of their body weight over a 72-week period.
The second showed patients with Type-2 diabetes lost 15.7% of their body weight over 72 weeks.
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The trials showed patients treated with Mounjaro “had a significant weight loss over time compared to patients who took a placebo”.
The agency listed the potential side effects of the medicine, including nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting – which usually goes away over time – and constipation.
Low blood sugar is also “very common” in patients with diabetes, it added.
It also warned the drug may affect how well the contraceptive pill works in obese or overweight female patients.
Julian Beach, MHRA interim executive director, healthcare quality and access, said: “We have prioritised rapid assessment of this new indication for Mounjaro, given the public health importance of access to new medicines to help tackle obesity.
“We have drawn on advice from the independent Commission on Human Medicines in coming to our decision, and as with all products, will keep the safety of Mounjaro under close review.”
The MHRA said it will keep the safety and effectiveness of Mounjaro under close review.
In September weight-loss jab Wegovy was launched in the UK to help tackle obesity.
The drug was approved for NHS use by NICE earlier this year and is now available to patients via specialist services.
Two men have died after a stabbing in central London.
Police were called to a business premises in Long Lane, Southwark, at 1pm on Monday, where they found four people had been stabbed.
A 58-year-old man died at the scene while three others were taken to hospital, the Metropolitan Police said. These included a 27-year-old man who has since died.
A third man, who is in his thirties, remains in hospital with injuries described as non-life-threatening.
Another man in his thirties, who has been detained in connection with the incident, remains in a life-threatening condition in hospital.
Detective Chief Superintendent Emma Bond said: “Our investigation is in the early stages and we are working hard to understand the full circumstances of this shocking incident.
“At this point, we do not believe it to be terrorism-related and there is no further risk to the public.”
The red carpet was rolled out at No 10 on Monday evening as the Lionesses attended a reception to celebrate their Euro 2025 victory.
The England squad went straight to Downing Street after touching down at Southend Airport in Essex less than 24 hours after they defeated Spain in a penalty shootout in Sunday’s final.
Led by captain Leah Williamson, who proudly clutched the trophy, the side posed for pictures outside No 10 before being greeted by Deputy Prime Minister Angela Rayner.
Image: The England squad outside No 10. Pic: PA
Image: Leah Williamson carries the trophy. Pic: AP
Speaking to Sky News correspondent Ashna Hurynag after the 40-minute reception, England manager Sarina Wiegman described the celebration as “very, very special”.
“To be able to go inside and also be in the garden there, [was] really nice,” she said. “They had put up pictures of us to show what we had done in the Euros… it was very, very special.”
Some people on social media have called for the England boss – who is from the Netherlands – to get an honorary damehood, but Wiegman told Ashna Hurynag that she “hasn’t thought about that”.
“I feel so much respect from England and from the Royal Family too, I think that’s the most important thing, feeling valued,” she said.
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Weigman also joined some of the players to videocall Sir Keir Starmer, who was in Scotland with Donald Trump.
Image: England manager Sarina Wiegman and some of the players on a video call with Sir Keir Starmer. Pic: Reuters
Image: Pic: PA
Image: Angela Rayner congratulates some of the players. Pic: Reuters
In a speech at the reception, the manager quipped: “I have to make my apologies [for giving] you lots of heart attacks.”
“We made it through and that’s why we’re here now,” she continued.
“The team is just incredible, we won the Euros but making the final, we’re already legendary. Thank you so much for having us here.”
As the Lionesses left Downing Street, some stopped to try and meet another famous feline – Larry the Cat.
Image: Sarina Wiegman and Leah Williamson in the garden at No 10. Pic: PA
Image: England’s Esme Morgan, Anna Moorhouse and Grace Clinton try and get Larry the Cat’s attention. Pic: PA
The celebrations will continue on Tuesday afternoon with an open-top bus parade through central London before the team gather outside Buckingham Palace.
The Lionesses retained their Women’s Euros title on Sunday night by beating Spain in Basel, Switzerland.
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Behind the scenes after Lionesses’ win
Mariona Caldentey put Spain 1-0 ahead in the first half, but England’s Alessia Russo levelled the score in the 57th minute.
The game finished 1-1 after 90 minutes, with the score remaining the same at the end of extra-time.