23 June 2025 will see the beginning of access to the drug Tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) for the management of obesity in primary care settings to eligible patients.
Tirzepatide will not be accessible to everyone who wishes to use it. People with the highest health risks and who meet the clinical criteria will be prioritised.
Access to Tirzepatide via the NHS is for those at greatest risk of ill health, or who are experiencing severe ill health due to living with obesity. Access to the drug must be accompanied by wraparound care which will include support for people to make dietary changes and to increase physical activity. The patient must be accepted on the WRAPAROUND SUPPORT SERVICE in order to proceed with the programme. The practice will raise a referral for qualifying patients to the wraparound service and the patient will be informed of the outcome.
Patients already taking Tirzepatide on maximum or maximally tolerated dose are not eligible for this programme.
Tirzepatide might not be considered clinically suitable for everyone, and not everyone who meets the eligibility criteria will want to use it to support their weight loss. Other options are available including weight loss programmes which use tried and tested methods such as lifestyle changes and nutrition and physical activity advice; such as the NHS Digital Weight Management Programme, NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme or the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme
The qualiying criteria are:
- Body mass index(BMI) >= 40
- AND must have any of the four cormorbidities below
- Hypertension
- Dyslipidaemia
- Obstructive sleep apnoea
- Cardiovascular disease
- Type 2 diabetes
The practice will be in contact with patients that meet the above criteria, there is no need to contact us.