Brand-name prescription injection Ozempic, used to treat those with Type 2 diabetes, could soon be fully subsidised by the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme to help those trying to lose weight, but Clinton Maynard has outlined why it shouldn’t be.

He points out it will come at an incredible cost to the government and taxpayers at a time when emergency departments are packed and those over the age of 65 are about to lose their private health.

“We are seriously about to make private health insurance too expensive for people over the age of 65, but we consider throwing 10 billion dollars at the PBS for a weight-loss drug so people continue to load up on fries and hamburgers? That is ridiculous,” he said.

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For confidential & free support for eating disorders, call the Butterfly National Helpline on 1800 ED HOPE (1800 33 4673) or visit www.butterfly.org.au to chat online or email.

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