Mounjaro will now be available to a select group of patients on the NHS as of Monday, June 23.
Some GP practices across the UK will now be able to prescribe the weight-loss drug, but only if people meet a very certain criteria.
Official statistics reveal that 64 per cent of adults in England were considered overweight or obese between 2022 and 2023 - but many of these will not be eligible.
But what exactly is the Mounjaro weight-loss drug, how does it work and who is elligible?
What is the Mounjaro weight-loss drug?
Mounjaro is the brand name for a drug called tirzepatide, which is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) that helps to lower people’s blood sugar levels.
The drug helps the body create insulin while also slowing down the amount of glucose produced in the liver and the rate of food digestion.
As well as benefitting people who have Type 2 diabetes, the weekly injection can improve weight loss.
Approved as an obesity drug by the NHS in the summer of 2024, it will be prescribed to people alongside a reduced-calorie diet and exercise.
UCHealth claims that those who received the biggest dose of the drug (15mg) could lose around 21 per cent of their body weight. It’s unclear what proposed dosage the NHS would administer.
How does Mounjaro work?
Mounjaro suppresses a person’s appetite, making them feel less hungry.
According to the medicine information database, Drugs, it binds to two hormone receptors in our bodies known as GIP and GLP-1, prompting the pancreas to make more insulin while lowering blood sugar.
By slowing the process of food passing through a person’s body, it can also help to make them feel fuller for longer periods of time.
How do you get it on the NHS?
From Monday June 23, Mounjaro will be available on the NHS. However, the medication will initially only be available to people with the highest clinical need.
In order to be elligible, patients must have a BMI of 40 or above (or 37.5 if the patient is from a minority ethnic background). They must also have four of five of the following conditions: type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart and vascular disease, high cholesterol and obstructive sleep apnoea.
NHS England has said that people should review their integrated care board (ICB) for an eligibility assessment. People are not advised to book an appointment with their GP unless they fit this criteria.
