GPs in England may start offering weight-loss jabs to some patients to reduce obesity-related illnesses and resultant pressure on hospitals.
Wegovy was approved for NHS use after research suggested users could shed over 10 percent of their body weight.
The drug blunts appetite, so users feel full and eat less.
A £40 million pilot program to broaden access to specialized weight management services was announced by Rishi Sunak, who described it as potentially "game-changing.".
Nevertheless, experts caution that "skinny jabs," which are popular in the US and supported by a number of celebrities, are not a quick fix or a replacement for a healthy diet and exercise.
In trials, users often put weight back on after stopping treatment.
The NHS has not yet approved the use of specific weight loss-focused injections like Ozempic and Mounjaro, which function very similarly to Wegovy but are intended to treat diabetes.
Patients may use Wegovy for a maximum of two years through specialized weight-management services, according to the NHS drug watchdog, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
These are largely hospital based, meaning only about 35,000 have access, but the government says tens of thousands more could be eligible - although the UK has no supply of the drug yet.
As part of the government's larger goal to relieve hospital overcrowding and provide patients with access to the care they require where it is most convenient for them, the new program will test how GPs could safely prescribe such drugs and the NHS could provide support in the community or digitally.
Obesity places enormous strain on the NHS, according to Mr. Sunak.
"Using the latest drugs to support people to lose weight will be a game-changer by helping to tackle dangerous obesity-related health conditions such as high blood pressure, diabetes and cancer. ".
According to estimates, there are more than 12 million obese adults in England.
And some High Street pharmacies plan to offer Wegovy to customers, prescribing and dispensing a weekly shot they can self-inject using pre-filled pen devices.
As with any medication, there can be side-effects and risks.
The most common are nausea or an upset stomach, bloating and gas.
NHS medical director Prof Sir Stephen Powis said: "Pharmaceutical treatments offer a new way of helping people with obesity gain a healthier weight and this new pilot will help determine if these medicines can be used safely and effectively in non-hospital settings as well as a range of other interventions we have in place. ".
He said NHS England was negotiating with the manufacturer to secure long-term supplies at prices representing value for money for taxpayers.
