Weight-loss pills are now available for purchase at pharmacies from £79 a month, marking the first time such medication has been sold directly to the public. Chemists anticipate a surge in demand, but experts warn that NHS patients may have to wait until 2028 to access the drug.
The medication, Wegovy, goes on sale on Monday, with pharmacies bracing for thousands of new patients. However, the high cost may limit access for those unable to afford the monthly fee.
Statistics highlight the disparity between UK and US incomes, with the median disposable household income in the US at just over £57,000 compared to just over £36,000 in the UK. One in ten UK households has over £70,000 in disposable income, while four in ten US households reach that level.
Starting salaries for US graduates range from £44,800 to £58,500, whereas UK graduates earn between £28,000 and £35,000. GDP has been higher in the US since the 1890s, except for a brief period during the 1930s depression.
