Weight loss drug Mounjaro will be available via the NHS for some people living with obesity
Weight loss jab tirzepatide – commonly sold under the brand name Mounjaro – is set to become available via the NHS for eligible patients in England.
It could take up to 12 years for everyone who meets the criteria to actually receive it, however, with fewer than 10% set to be prescribed the medication in the first instance. Those with the greatest need will be prioritised, officials said.
When will Mounjaro be available on the NHS?
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published its final draft guidance on the drug, recommending that doctors begin to prescribe it from March 2025, together with advice on taking more exercise and eating a lower calorie diet.
Those with a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 35 living with at least one medical condition which has developed due to being overweight, such as type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular disease, will be offered the medication. Estimates set this at around 3.4 million people. (Any BMI over 30 is classified as meaning that someone has obesity. 40 or above marks someone as ‘severely obese.)
The roll out could take so long due to fears that services could become overwhelmed, as well as to test ways of delivering the ‘new generation’ of weight loss medications, NICE said.
Much like semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, which is licensed in the UK for the treatment of type 2 diabetes – Mounjaro belongs to a class of drugs known as GLP-1 agonists. It works by making people feel fuller, meaning that they eat less. Mounjaro is manufactured by pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly.
Who will be able to access Mounjaro for weight loss, first?
Of the move, Prof Jonathan Benger, NICE chief medical officer, said: ‘The world will look very different in three years which is why we’ve taken the unprecedented decision to review the way this medicine is delivered to patients.’
‘Tirzepatide and other drugs like it, such as semaglutide, will help people living with obesity to lose weight, and as a result will reduce their risk of developing heart disease or having a stroke.
‘But tirzepatide is not for everybody, and only those with the highest clinical need will be treated initially. This means many people will have to wait. We have had to make this difficult decision in order to protect other vital NHS services and also to test ways of delivering this new generation of weight loss medications.’
Those who are currently receiving care from weight management services will be the first to be offered it. This group should be able to access the drug within 90 days of the new guidance being officially published on 23 December. (Right now, it’s the ‘final draft’ of the document which is available.)
‘Whilst the funding variation sets a maximum of 12 years, NICE will review the situation again within three years and provide further advice on how the rollout of this medicine can be managed using the learning gained from the initial phase. This will ensure the rollout of tirzepatide reaches everyone who is eligible in a safe and effective way,’ Prof Benger added.
What are the concerns about Mounjaro?
Mounjaro can cause side effects. These include more common and less serious issues, such as nausea, diarrhoea and vomiting, as well as less usual and severe problems, including sudden pancreatitis, serious digestive problems and short term or sudden gall bladder disease. Experts also say that people tend to re-gain weight when they stop taking the medication.
What do the experts say about Mounjaro for weight loss?
Prof Lora Heisler, Chair in Human Nutrition, Rowett Institute, University of Aberdeen, said:
‘We should be offering patients the best and most effective medicines for any condition. Therefore, this is a very important step forward in helping patients with health complications associated with obesity to receive the most effective medicine currently on the market to help improve health through weight loss. Improving health more broadly on a national scale also benefits the NHS and the UK economy.
‘However, tirzepatide is not a magic cure – it still comes with possible side effects and will need to be taken alongside diet and exercise. It is particularly important for obese patients requiring drugs to help shift weight to engage in physical activity whilst taking the medicine. This is because weight loss primarily leads to the loss of body fat, but also commonly leads to the loss of some muscle.’
Helen Kirrane, Head of Policy and Campaigns, Diabetes UK, said:
‘We welcome the new guidance from NICE on overweight and obesity management and the recommendations for widening access to Tirzepatide for weight loss, which now includes rolling out to people with prediabetes. However, we have concerns over the length of time it might take for people with prediabetes or type 2 diabetes to gain access.’
‘As the numbers of people living with or at risk of the condition continue to rise, supporting people to lose weight is key to preventing type 2 diabetes and, for those with a recent diagnosis, to putting the condition into remission.’
‘Medications such as Tirzepatide, have a significant role to play in the overall treatment and management of type 2 diabetes as well as being an option for some people to help with weight management.’
‘When implemented, these changes will broaden the support available for people managing type 2 diabetes as well as reducing the number of those at risk of going on to develop the condition. We look forward to engaging with NHS England on their forthcoming guidance for prioritising the rollout of Tirzepatide.’
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