Tory leadership hopeful Robert Jenrick today encouraged Britons to copy him and use Ozempic if the weight-loss drug is recommended to them by their doctor.The former immigration minister, who lost four stone in 12 months, said the drug had aided him at the start of his bid to shed the pounds.’If you get medical advice and your doctor says to use it then, by all means do it,’ he told Sky News.It came as US pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly, who produce their own weight-loss drug known as Mounjaro, announced a £279million investment in the UK.Experts believe drugs like Ozempic, also known as Wegovy, or Mounjaro will play an important role in tackling Britain’s obesity crisis.Health Secretary Wes Streeting has described weight-loss jabs as an ‘exciting innovation’ but warned it doesn’t mean people can give up healthy lifestyles. Tory leadership hopeful Robert Jenrick, pictured at the weekend, has encouraged Britons to copy him and use Ozempic if the weight-loss drug is recommended to them by their doctor The former immigration minister, pictured in July last year, said the drug had aided him at the start of his bid to shed the pounds Experts believe drugs like Ozempic, also known as Wegovy, or Mounjaro will play an important role in tackling Britain’s obesity crisisMr Jenrick was quizzed about his own experience this morning following a Sky News report that the NHS rollout of Wegovy is happening far more slowly than planned.Asked about his previous use of Ozempic, he replied: ‘It worked in the sense that it helped me to begin to lose weight.’I didn’t particularly enjoy using it. So I went to the tried and tested methods of eating less, doing more exercise and, ultimately, that was best for me.’But if you get medical advice and your doctor says to use it then, by all means do it.’Because hundreds of thousands of people across the country, millions worldwide, are using it and it’s helping them to lose weight and lead healthier lives.’Mr Jenrick is currently battling former business secretary Kemi Badenoch in the final round of the Tory leadership contest.Party members are due to elect Rishi Sunak’s replacement from the two remaining candidates, with a winner to be announced on 2 November.Ozempic was designed to treat type 2 diabetes but has gained attention as a weight-loss drug among a number of celebrities.These include Rebel Wilson, Sharon Osbourne, Stephen Fry and Elon Musk.There have been warnings of serious side effects to the drug, as well as nausea, vomiting and diarrhoea.Speaking to Politico previously about his own use of Ozempic, Mr Jenrick said: ‘To be honest, I was overweight.’I took Ozempic for a short period of time, didn’t particularly enjoy it, but it was helpful.’Since then I’ve just lost weight in the normal way by eating less, eating more healthily, doing some exercise – going to the gym, going running. I’ve lost four stone in 12 months.’The website reported that Mr Jenrick took Ozempic for six weeks in the autumn of last year.A partnership between Eli Lilly and the UK Government will see the launch of the first ‘Lilly Gateway Labs’ innovation accelerator in Europe.It will support early-stage life sciences businesses to develop new medicines by providing lab space, mentorship and potential financial backing.NHS chief executive Amanda Pritchard said: ‘Obesity is one of the biggest public health issues we face.’And we know weight loss drugs will be a game-changer, alongside earlier prevention strategies, in supporting many more people to lose weight and reduce their risk of killer conditions like diabetes, heart attack and stroke.’Today’s momentous agreement shows the NHS is uniquely well-placed globally not just to bring effective new treatments to those who would benefit most, but also to support science, research, jobs and economic growth across the country.’We now have an important chance to gain a better understanding of the benefits of weight management interventions for patients, and how best to deliver them over the next few years.’