NHS changes weight loss jab rules as GPs prepare for Mounjaro demand
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Mounjaro weight loss jabs now available from GPs
- The NHS in England is set to begin a mass rollout of the anti-obesity drug Mounjaro (tirzepatide) on Monday, with GPs allowed to prescribe it for the first time.
- The initiative is expected to reach approximately 220,000 severely obese people with multiple health complications across England over the next three years.
- Eligibility for the drug includes a body mass index (BMI) over 40 and at least four other obesity-linked health problems, such as type 2 diabetes or high blood pressure.
- Leading family doctors have raised concerns about the additional workload and training implications for GPs associated with the new rollout.
- Pharmacy experts anticipate potential pressure on drug supplies and say that the medication should be part of a comprehensive weight management strategy, not a standalone solution.