Employers rethink health plans as demand for weight-loss drugs grows – Howden
The data highlighted a growing disconnect between employee expectations and employer affordability.
Employers are being forced to reassess workplace health benefits as demand for weight-management drugs rises sharply, according to findings from Howden’s Global Employee Health Report 2026.
The data highlighted a growing disconnect between employee expectations and employer affordability.
More than a quarter of UK employees said they have already used a weight-management drug, while two fifths believe these treatments should be included as part of workplace health benefits.
The report showed that 93% of organisations expect global medical costs to increase, with medical inflation forecast to reach 7% in 2026.
When combined with broader inflation, employers are facing total cost increases of over 10% in the year ahead.
As a result, nearly half of employers are reassessing their healthcare plans, with a significant proportion shifting focus toward preventative care.
Many organisations are investing more in early intervention strategies to manage long-term costs, positioning weight-management treatments as part of a broader prevention approach rather than a standalone benefit.
Cheryl Brennan, managing director of Howden Employee Benefits, said: “The demand for these drugs is obvious, and employers can simply not afford to ignore it.
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