Why most Brits 'won't qualify' for 'game-changing' Mounjaro NHS rollout
In a new TikTok video, the consultant and professor explains who's really eligible and why BMI isn't the full story
Celebrity endorsements and social media exposure has seen a surge in popularity of weight-loss injections in recent months. One particular injectable drawing significant notice is Mounjaro, or Tirzepatide, to give it its medical name.
This week, GPs down south began prescribing Mounjaro, initially developed for the management of type 2 diabetes, to patients with severe obesity and multiple health risks as part of a phased plan announced by NHS England.
The move follows recent NICE guidance, which recommends the use of GLP-1 medications like Mounjaro in adults with BMI over 35 and at least one weight-related condition - or lower thresholds for those from high-risk backgrounds. The drug has earned acclaim for its effectiveness in facilitating substantial weight loss.
Scotland had already embraced Tirzepatide for combating obesity through the Scottish Medicines Consortium.
But while the plan has been billed as a "gamechanger," Professor Franklin Joseph, consultant endocrinologist and founder of Dr Frank's Weight Loss Clinic, says it's more of a political move than a practical shift.
And he believes far fewer people will benefit than many realise.
In fact, the weight loss doctor has claimed in a TikTok video reacting to the announcement that the NHS's much-publicised weight loss jab scheme is being oversold - and that most people won't be able to access it anytime soon.
In the clip, Prof Joseph broke down the numbers, saying: "It's estimated that out of 52million adults in the UK, only around 3.4million meet the NICE criteria.
"But the NHS rollout is targeting just 220,000 high-priority patients over the next three years."
Those eligible first are adults with a BMI over 40, or slightly lower for ethnic minority groups, who also have four or more serious weight-related conditions like Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, or sleep apnoea.
"This is not a wide-open door," Prof Joseph said. "Access will be incredibly limited, and most people won't qualify."
The expert added that while NICE has licensed the drug for broader use, the resources just aren't there to match. And although more people qualify privately, it comes with a cost.
Prof Joseph explains that many more people could benefit from GLP-1 treatment if accessed privately - where eligibility starts at BMI 30 (or 27 with a weight-related condition like prediabetes or high cholesterol).
"The truth is, these medications can help a lot more people than the NHS can currently support," he went on. "But right now, it's not about what works - it's about what's affordable at scale."
The professor urges patients to consult a qualified specialist and focus on the full picture, not just weight.
"BMI is just a starting point," he insisted, adding: "You need to look at metabolic risk, medical history, and how you respond to treatment over time."
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