Probing the rise of ‘Skinny Jabs’

25 November 2025

Weight-loss medicines are rapidly reshaping approaches to obesity, diabetes and weight management across the UK.

Despite some of the risks associated with these prescription-only injectable medicine, the London Assembly Health Committee has also heard about the benefits of weight loss medicines and will be exploring how access can be increased for eligible patients on the NHS.

Tomorrow, the Health Committee continues to investigate how and on what scale Londoners are accessing weight loss medicines privately and on the NHS, the regulatory framework for accessing them in this way and to understand the benefits and risks for Londoners.

The guests are:

Panel 1 (10:00- 10:55): NHS provision

• Dr Charlotte Benjamin, Chief Medical Officer, North West London Integrated Care Board (ICB)
• Jon Hayhurst, Regional Chief Pharmacist, NHS England London

Panel 2 (11:00-11:55): Lived experience guests

• Nadya Isack, lived experience guest
• Paul Sinclair, lived experience guest
• Alexandra Smith, lived experience guest

Panel 3 (12:00-13:00): Pharmacies and private provision

• Leyla Hannbeck, Chief Executive Officer, Independent Pharmacies Association
• Ian Budd, Independent Pharmacist Prescriber, Chemist4U
• Kieran Seyan, Chief Medical Officer, Pharmacy2U

The meeting will take place on Wednesday 26 November 2025 from 10am in the Chamber at City Hall, Kamal Chunchie Way, E16 1ZE.

Media and members of the public are invited to attend.

The meeting can also be viewed LIVE or later via webcast or YouTube.

Follow @LondonAssembly.

 Note

1. Emma Best AM Chairman of the Health Committee, is available for interview.
2. Find out more about the work of the Health Committee.
3. Read the agenda in full.
4. As well as investigating issues that matter to Londoners, the London Assembly acts as a check and a balance on the Mayor.

source: