‘Biggest challenge’ | Employees demand Ozempic - and want their bosses to pay

Surging employee demand for GLP-1 weight loss drugs like Ozempic is creating a significant cost headache for UK firms, research has found.

According to a study by Howden Employee Benefits, more than a quarter of UK employees have used a weight loss drug (26%), while two-fifths (41%) believe such medication should be covered in their company’s healthcare plan.

A study published by UCL earlier in January found that an estimated 1.6 million UK adults used weight loss drugs in the last year.

Ozempic demand creates HR headache

With bosses feeling the pressure to meet employee demands, Howden found that 44% of employers are weighing up an overhaul of their package – despite the vast majority (88%) of companies reporting satisfaction with the return on investment (ROI) from their existing plan.