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Dr Richard Dune
24-06-2025
Mounjaro on prescription: What it means for NHS patients
Image by DC_Studio via Envato Elements
Strict NHS criteria mean Mounjaro is far from a quick fix; learn how its GP rollout is reshaping obesity care through targeted, supportive pathways
The fight against obesity in England has entered a new chapter. For the first time, general practitioners (GPs) can now prescribe Mounjaro (Tirzepatide), a breakthrough weight-loss medication that has shown an average 20% reduction in body weight in clinical trials.
In this blog, Dr Richard Dune explores what this development really means for patients, professionals, and the broader NHS system. While media headlines may suggest a revolution, the reality is more measured – and more meaningful. This is a phased rollout, focusing on those with the most urgent clinical needs, and it represents a bold step toward integrated, preventive healthcare within the NHS.
Who can access Mounjaro through their GP?
Access to Mounjaro is tightly regulated. It’s not open to everyone with weight concerns, but rather to those with severe obesity and complex, high-risk health conditions.
Eligibility criteria include:
- A BMI of ≥40, or ≥37.5 for certain ethnic minority groups, and
- Presence of four out of five of the following obesity-related conditions:
- Type 2 diabetes
- Hypertension
- High cholesterol
- Cardiovascular disease
- Obstructive sleep apnoea.
This combination applies to an estimated 220,000 adults in England living with severe, often life-limiting multimorbidity.
This is a targeted approach - what public health experts call precision population health.
Why Mounjaro is making headlines
Mounjaro is not just another fad drug. It’s part of a newer class of medications known as GLP-1/GIP receptor agonists, which work in multiple ways:
- Suppressing appetite
- Slowing gastric emptying
- Improving insulin sensitivity
- Reducing sugar cravings.
Unlike cosmetic weight-loss solutions, Mounjaro addresses metabolic dysfunction, making it a therapeutic tool with the potential to prevent or delay life-threatening conditions like cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
The shift to primary care - Why it matters
Until now, access to weight-loss injections such as Mounjaro and Wegovy has been largely confined to:
- Tier 3 and 4 NHS specialist weight management services, which are frequently oversubscribed
- Private clinics, where monthly treatment costs typically range from £150 to £200.
With the NHS now making Mounjaro available in primary care settings, we are seeing the transition from a niche clinical offering to a more inclusive and accessible care model. But this comes with clear requirements, including:
- Behavioural and lifestyle support (nutrition, physical activity, counselling)
- Monthly reviews and monitoring
- Ongoing safety checks and patient education.
If delivered well, this model could revolutionise long-term management of obesity-related chronic diseases such as Type 2 diabetes, musculoskeletal disorders, and heart disease.
Why caution is still crucial
Even with this positive momentum, serious concerns remain about implementation, resourcing, and equity.
Supply vs demand
Pharmacy leaders have already sounded the alarm over anticipated shortfalls. Given high public interest, there’s a risk that both eligible and ineligible patients will overwhelm GP services and strain medication supply chains.
GP workload
GPs are already overstretched. Each Mounjaro patient may require up to two hours of clinical support for safe initiation and review. Without additional funding, staff, and training, this could become unsustainable.
Not a magic bullet
No medication can solve obesity alone. Structural factors, such as limited access to healthy foods, sedentary environments, and gaps in health education, must also be addressed. Mounjaro should complement, not replace, upstream public health efforts.
Equity must lead the way
Roughly 1.5 million UK adults are believed to access these medications already privately. If the NHS rollout fails to expand capacity fairly, it could entrench a two-tier system where wealth determines access. Clinical need, not the ability to pay, must remain the guiding principle.
Debunking the myths
| Myth | Reality |
|---|---|
| “Anyone can now get Mounjaro from their GP”. | Only those meeting strict criteria - severe obesity + 4 comorbidities - qualify. |
| “It’s just a jab, and the weight comes off”. | Every prescription must be paired with lifestyle and behavioural support. |
| “GPs are giving them out like sweets”. | Onboarding and monitoring require significant time and expertise. |
| “This will end the obesity epidemic”. | It’s a tool, not a cure, for a deeply systemic problem. |
Economic and health system benefits
If scaled and managed effectively, the introduction of Mounjaro into primary care could bring widespread benefits across the NHS and wider economy:
- £4.5 billion/year in reduced NHS obesity-related treatment costs
- £200+ million/year in productivity gains from improved health outcomes
- Up to 2 additional years of healthy life expectancy for many recipients.
This isn’t just about weight loss. It’s about building a healthier workforce, easing pressure on secondary care, and promoting healthy ageing in a system that’s under unprecedented strain.
What’s next in the rollout?
The eligibility criteria are expected to expand gradually:
- 2026 - Possible inclusion of individuals with BMI ≥35 with 4 comorbidities
- 2027 - Consideration for those with BMI ≥40 and just 3 comorbidities
- Beyond - NICE will continually assess real-world data on outcomes and cost-effectiveness to inform further access.
The long-term ambition? Up to 3.4 million people in England could benefit - if, and only if, infrastructure, training, and equitable access scale alongside demand.
A turning point - If we get it right
Mounjaro’s availability through GPs signals more than a policy shift. It marks the beginning of a new era in preventative, evidence-based obesity care within the NHS.
But the outcome depends on more than just good science. It requires:
- Realistic public messaging
- Investment in primary care teams
- Transparent eligibility criteria
- Patient-centred engagement
- Above all, a commitment to equity in access.
If we want to make lasting change, we must treat this rollout not as the endgame but as the start of a broader public health transformation.
From policy to practice - Our role in supporting change
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Whether you’re rolling out new medications, onboarding patients into weight management programmes, or training staff to deliver safe, effective interventions, ComplyPlus™ empowers your organisation to deliver with consistency, confidence, and compliance. One platform. Endless possibilities.
About the author
Dr Richard Dune
With over 25 years of experience, Dr Richard Dune has a rich background in the NHS, the private sector, academia, and research settings. His forte lies in clinical R&D, advancing healthcare tech, workforce development, and governance. His leadership ensures that regulatory compliance and innovation align seamlessly.
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