High street retail giant Boots has announced it will sell a weight-loss jab that claims to suppress the appetite.
The health and beauty store says it will now be able to offer the injection to shoppers who are eligible.
A recent NHS report found that over 60 percent of adults in England are at risk of developing chronic health problems due to their weight.
READ MORE: Britain's cheapest supermarket for February named - and it's not Aldi, Tesco or ASDA
UK-wide costs attributable to overweight and obese individuals are projected to reach £9.7 billion by 2050, according to Government statistics.
In some circumstances, the NHS is now able to prescribe Saxenda - also called liraglutide - in a bid to help to tackle the obesity crisis.
The weight-loss jab works by mimicking a hormone called GLP1, which is released after eating a filling meal.
Some doctors have described the jab as a 'game-changer'.
It is injected once a day under the skin, and effects are supposed to take up to two weeks to come in.
When combined with a low fat food plan and modern levels of activity, users of Saxenda can lose up to five per cent of their body weight three months, reports Leicestershire Live.
However, the weight-loss aid is not expected to work without major dietary and lifestyle changes.
According to the NHS, a doctor might recommend Saxenda if:
- diet and exercise changes have not worked on their own
- orlistat has not worked or you cannot take it
- you do not want to have weight loss surgery
How to get weight-loss jab at pharmacies
To access to the weight-loss jab at the likes of Boots and Lloyds Pharmacy, you have to meet certain criteria that changes depending on the individual.
In most cases you have to be 30 or above on the Body Mass Index scale and tried other methods of losing weight before being accepted for Saxenda.
You can apply for a quick online consultation, where you will be asked questions just like a traditional appointment at your GP.
The questionnaire asks you about your medical history and symptoms. Your answers help their experts assess your suitability for treatment.
If accepted, you can pick up your jabs in store or have them delivered for free to your home. Saxenda comes in a 3ml pre-filled injection pen, with a single pen lasting 17 days and a pack of three covering 4.5 weeks.
A pack of three pens costs £150, while a pack of five is priced at £240.
It is suitable for adults aged up to 75. It is not recommended if you're pregnant or breastfeeding or have certain health conditions, such as liver or kidney problems.
Read more: Tesco shopper 'shaken' to find that some of the supermarket's fruit isn't vegan
Also read: Highway Code rule means drivers could get instant £100 penalty on the motorway
