Only individuals with nearly £100,000 in discretionary income per year will see overall savings on their food bills after accounting for the £1,200 annual cost of GLP-1 weight-loss medication, according to an analysis by the consultancy Baringa.
For most users, the annual cost of the drug outweighs any reduction in grocery spending. Paddy Winters, a partner at Baringa, stated that GLP-1s risk becoming a driver of inequality, benefiting only very high earners through grocery savings.
Baringa's analysis indicates that a GLP-1 user with £39,000 left after tax and essentials would spend £481 less on food annually. However, a reduction in grocery spend of £1,200 is only achieved when someone has £97,500 remaining after tax and other outgoings.
Winters also noted that users may spend more on vitamin supplements and personal care products to manage side effects. He added that some people cancel prescriptions due to cost, leading to weight regain, and suggested this cycle could lead to individuals turning to debt.
Dr Leyla Hannbeck, executive chair of the Independent Pharmacies Association, highlighted that NHS access to GLP-1s is limited, meaning many who could benefit cannot access treatment without private care. She also mentioned price volatility in the market, though it is becoming more competitive with new products emerging.