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.
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Wales Online
24 minutes ago
- Wales Online
Weight loss jabs known as Mounjaro to be offered through the NHS in England
Weight loss jabs known as Mounjaro to be offered through the NHS in England There are no plans for Wales to do the same yet The Mounjaro jab reportedly makes you feel fuller for longer and therefore less hungry (Image: PA Wire/PA Images ) Prescriptions for the weight-loss jab Mounjaro are now being offered at GP surgeries in England - but only for patients who meet strict criteria. The move marks the beginning of a phases rollout of the weekly injection, which has been shown to help people lose up to 20% of their body weight. It is reported that 220,000 people with the "greatest need" are expected to receive Mounjaro, also known as tirzepatide and made by Lilly, through the NHS over the next three years. NHS England says while the long tern plan is for the jabs to become more widely available, the BBC reported that the gradual rollout is designed to ensure that those most at need receive it first, while also helping GP practices manage their workload and avoid putting additional pressure on the NHS' already stretched resources. Stay informed on the latest health news by signing up to our newsletter here There has been no announcement of a similar rollout in Wales, meaning patents here will still need to go through online pharmaceuticals or private clinics to access the jab. Article continues below Last month, the Welsh Government told health boards that it was aware of the recommendation by medicines body NICE that Mounjaro could be prescribed on the NHS alongside a low-calorie diet and increased exercise. However, it said only that work was being undertaken in Wales to determine if the drug and other weight loss medications would be made available on the NHS here. The document said: "Work is currently being undertaken to determine if and how tirzepatide and other weight loss medications licensed in the future, will be made available in the NHS in Wales. NHS England's commissioning guidance does not apply in Wales.... Welsh Ministers will make a decision regarding any extended deployment of tirzepatide once this work is completed. "In the interim, tirzepatide, semaglutide and liraglutide, for weight loss should only be prescribed through specialist weight management services in the NHS in Wales. There should be no new initiations of tirzepatide other than in NHS specialist weight management services. "We appreciate that there is considerable demand for specialist weight management services and there is a growing pressure for access to these medications through the NHS. "The work currently being undertaken to determine how tirzepatide and future weight loss medications, will be made available in the NHS in Wales will ensure seamless, equitable, safe and effective access to treatment through local services delivered in accordance with a nationally agreed implementation approach." Jess Miles, 37, from Newcastle Emlyn has been taking Mounjaro for a year after accessing it privately. The mum-of-one has since lost an incredible seven stone and two pounds - exactly 100 pounds - since starting the treatment, but admitted it came as a high cost. "I kept putting it off, thinking 'I can't afford this,'" Jess told WalesOnline. "But one day I just thought, b****r it! Something has to change and nothing else has worked!" Learning that people in England - and possibly beyond - could access the same medication through the NHS was difficult to hear, she said. "That did hit me quite hard," she said, candidly. "One of the girls in work told me and I was swearing, ranting and raving. People are going to be able to walk into a doctors and get it for free when I've spent thousands." Despite this, Jess added that she understands the benefits of wider access - especially when done safely and with the right medical support "I know it's safer through the NHS, because they have your full medical history. That's what really matters - making sure it's done properly." That being said, here is everything you need to know about Mounjaro: How does tirzepatide work? Tirzepatide, or Mounjaro, is an antidiabetic drug which lowers blood sugar levels and slows down how quickly food is digested. It makes you feel fuller for longer and therefore less hungry. If the jab is recommended by a healthcare professional, those using it will need to eat a balanced, reduced-calorie diet and to exercise regularly while taking it, according to the NHS website. Who might be eligible for the drug in England? In the first year of the programme, the drug will be offered to people with a body mass index (BMI) score of more than 40 who have at least four other health problems linked to obesity, such as type 2 diabetes; high blood pressure; heart disease; and obstructive sleep apnoea. It was previously only accessible to patients through a special weight loss service, to severely obese people who also suffer from a range of other health problems. Estimates suggest around 1.5 million people in the UK are already taking weight loss drugs, which may have been prescribed through specialist weight loss services or via private prescription. How would it be administered? The drug is usually delivered through a self-administered weekly injection which a doctor or nurse will show patients how to use, the NHS website says. Who cannot take tirzepatide? Mounjaro is not recommended for those who are pregnant or planning to get pregnant, breastfeeding or have certain health conditions, according to the NHS. For those taking the contraceptive pill and using tirzepatide, the NHS recommends using an additional method of contraception, such as a condom, for the first four weeks of treatment and for four weeks after each dose increase as the contraceptive pill may not be absorbed by the body during this time. Article continues below What are the potential side effects? Potential side effects of tirzepatide include nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea and constipation, according to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.
BBC News
34 minutes ago
- BBC News
NHS Grampian: New chief executive to lead struggling health board
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Daily Mail
34 minutes ago
- Daily Mail
Woman who shed 140lb says Pilates beats Ozempic
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