Making Obesity Care Accessible: Dr Harriet Treacy on Affordability and the Future of Treatment in Ireland

Estimated reading time: about 3 minutes

Introduction: A New Era in Obesity Care

In Ireland, access to effective obesity treatments is changing faster than ever before. New medications like Mounjaro (tirzepatide) have reshaped what is possible in managing obesity. Not only helping patients lose weight, but also reducing the health complications that come with it.

Yet, as highlighted in a recent The Times article, one of the greatest challenges remains: affordability and accessibility. Many people continue to struggle to access life-changing care within the Republic due to price differences, limited reimbursement options, and the private-only availability of new medications.

For Dr Harriet Treacy, co-founder of Beyondbmi and a practising doctor in Dublin, these challenges underscore why affordability and access must be placed at the heart of Ireland’s healthcare conversation.

Dr Harriet Treacy: “Effective Obesity Treatment Is a Game-Changer”

Speaking to The Times, Dr Treacy highlighted the enormous potential of new obesity medications for Irish patients,  and the pressing need to make them accessible to everyone who needs them.

“Effective obesity treatment, unavailable five or ten years ago, is a game-changer,” said Dr Treacy.

“Patients reduce or stop medications for hypertension, pain or conditions like psoriasis, as obesity-related inflammation decreases.”

She added that never before in her career had she seen medications capable of helping so many people reduce their reliance on other prescriptions.

At Beyondbmi, Dr Treacy and her team have witnessed first-hand the physical and emotional transformation that comes when patients can access proper care.

“As a doctor, I am kind of allergic to sensationalist language like ‘transformational’ or ‘life-changing’. But I can be really honest with you and say that patients that I see in one-to-one consultations are using the term ‘life-changing’ on a regular basis.” - Dr Harriet Treacy

Affordability as a Barrier, and a Priority

While these new treatments are available privately in Ireland, the lack of inclusion under the HSE Drugs Payment Scheme continues to make access difficult for many.
Dr Treacy’s work with Beyondbmi focuses on addressing this issue,  ensuring that patients receive not just medication, but comprehensive, affordable medical support that fits their long-term health goals.

Beyondbmi works closely with Irish pharmacies and clinicians to ensure patients can access evidence-based treatment safely and locally.
By supporting healthcare partnerships within Ireland, the clinic helps patients avoid unnecessary barriers and promotes sustainable, community-based care.

Dr Treacy also highlighted the economic importance of improving access to obesity care.

“The economic cost is equivalent to building the children’s hospital annually,” she said. “Never before in my career have I seen medications that are able to get people off other medications at the rate these obesity drugs can.”

These savings reflect not only reduced personal healthcare costs but also potential long-term benefits for Ireland’s wider health system.

Beyondbmi’s Mission: Accessible, Compassionate, Evidence-Based Care

At Beyondbmi, accessibility isn’t just about price, it’s about removing barriers to care.
The clinic’s multidisciplinary team of doctors, dietitians and behavioural experts provide a holistic programme that addresses the medical, nutritional and psychological aspects of obesity.

This approach ensures that every patient receives treatment tailored to their body, lifestyle and needs, making long-term success both achievable and affordable.

As Dr Treacy often reminds patients, obesity is not a lack of willpower, it’s a medical condition. Treating it with the same compassion and science as any chronic disease is essential to building a healthier Ireland.

“Obesity is a head-to-toe disease. There’s a 60 per cent overlap between obesity and depression and anxiety,” she told The Times. “What does it mean to be able to walk around? To open your car door and get out without worry? That’s the quality of life we’re helping people regain.”

Looking Ahead

The path forward for Ireland’s obesity care depends on two key commitments: ensuring affordability and supporting local access through trusted healthcare providers.
With continued collaboration between clinicians, pharmacies and policymakers, Ireland can build a system where effective treatment isn’t a privilege, it’s a standard.

At Beyondbmi, Dr Harriet Treacy and her team are proud to lead that effort, one patient at a time.

Read More

Read the full article in The Times:

👉 “Mounjaro tourism: why Irish patients cross the border for jabs” (subscription may be required).

Learn more about our accessible obesity treatment programmes at Beyondbmi programme.