Your ultimate guide to beat the Mounjaro price hike – from switching jabs to getting them FREE on the NHS
JABS UP Your ultimate guide to beat the Mounjaro price hike – from switching jabs to getting them FREE on the NHS
THE price of Mounjaro is set to soar, The Sun revealed yesterday - leaving slimmers desperate and worried at how they will afford the 'life-changing' drug.
With the price hike looming on September 1, we reveal how to dodge the spiralling bills, getting your jabs for cheaper - or even free on the NHS - as well as the different side effects to be wary of.
Advertisement
2
Eli Lilly has increased its prices of Mounjaro in the UK
Credit: Getty
The NHS has been giving Mounjaro prescriptions within GP practices since June.
Private pharmacies boast 'no GP referral needed', with tantalising prices drawing in an estimated one million paying customers.
Costs vary depending on the provider, jab and dosage, but are currently between around £120 and £220 per month.
But that's all set to change, as the US-based maker of Mounjaro, Eli Lilly, told The Sun it will be increasing charges in Britain to 'address inconsistencies' with prices it commands from other western countries.
Advertisement
The price the pharma giant charges pharmacies for a mid-range 5mg dose will nearly double from £92 to £180 from September 1. The maximum available dose, 15mg, will rise from £122 to £330.
Eli Lilly claimed to have negotiated with big private suppliers to ensure the whole price increase is not passed on to patients - but with pharmacies already marking up jab prices, the public can expect to see the cost increase.
It marks a huge blow for those for whom the jab offers a life-saving way out of obesity.
The hefty price would affect those currently on the jabs, as well as those who had hoped to pay for them long-term to avoid weight regain.
Toby Nicol, CEO at CheqUp, which has around 50,000 customers on weight loss jabs, said: 'This news will be disappointing for those who have achieved life-changing results with Mounjaro.
Advertisement
'This is particularly the case for those on higher doses who will likely see substantial rises in price."
Weight Loss Jabs - Pros vs Cons
Mounjaro has been dubbed the 'King Kong' of fat jabs because its success tops other brands, including Wegovy (also called Ozempic for type 2 diabetes), and Saxenda.
Now, with people considering switching to Wegvoy, some providers appear to have hiked prices of the alternative jab that's similar to Ozempic, in response to the update.
Mr Nicol, who says they have reduced the price of Wegovy on CheqUp, says: "Wegovy is a brilliant drug and that's why we don't want anyone to be priced out and think they have to take something which is unsafe.
"Do not buy from the cowboys. If the price is to good to be true, it probably is."
Advertisement
There is no direct dose equivalent, so swapping between drugs is not possible
Dr Suhail Hussain
Dr Ralph Abraham, a diabetes and endocrinology specialist verified on Doctify, a healthcare review platform, says: 'There is no problem in switching from one drug to another.
'But in a world where the drugs are often not prescribed by experienced doctors, it then becomes difficult to know where side effects might lie.'
Here, we answer the worries of readers and address how this could influence weight loss jabs and their success.
CAN I SWITCH TO WEGOVY?
IT depends who you ask.
Mr Nicol says: "It's clinically acceptable to go from Mounjaro to Wegovy. We are developing our own switching plan.
Advertisement
'While Mounjaro remains the most effective treatment available, Wegovy is a more affordable option and is also clinically proven as a highly effective weight loss drug that has delivered incredible results for people who are on a weight loss journey.
'We are ready and able to provide advice to those who are looking to switch.'
But Dr Suhail Hussain, a private GP verified on Doctify, believes this is likely to affect weight loss.
'There is no direct dose equivalent, so swapping between drugs is not possible,' he says.
Wegovy is prescribed between 0.25mg and 2.4mg, while Mounjaro has doses between 2.5mg and 15mg.
Advertisement
Dr Hussain said: 'The weight loss drugs are generally started at the lowest dose and titrated up.
'So if you were on mid-strength Mounjaro you would have to go onto the lowest strength Wegovy.
'There may also need to be a 'wash out' period to wean off one on to the other - which will again have impact on results."
But Mr Nicol says: "It doesn't feel right to do that, it's like a game of snakes and ladders.
"We'd be saying to people, for example, on 7.5mg of Mounjaro, that they shuold be transferring over to 1.7mg of Wegovy."
Advertisement
Patients should receive clinically appropriate care, under supervision, that aligns with their individual health needs and personal circumstances, experts said.
WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF SWITCHING TO WEGOVY?
A USER would also need to adjust to the side effects of a new medicine.
While these are relatively the same for either jab, there are slight differences.
'Mounjaro tends to be better tolerated in terms of GI side effects than Weygovy, so you may experience more nausea or vomiting etc,' says Dr Hussain.
The 'very common' side effects of both Mounjaro and Wegovy are nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting and constipation, according to Asda Online Doctor.
Advertisement
But Wegovy also says headache, stomach pain and feeling weak or tired are very common.
WILL I LOSE AS MUCH WEIGHT ON WEGOVY?
THE active ingredient in Wegovy is semaglutide, while in Mounjaro it is tirzepatide. Both work in a very similar way on the body.
Dr Hussain says: 'The two drugs work in a similar way (both are GLP-1 receptor agonists) but have some important differences.
'Mounjaro is a dual GIP + GLP-1 receptor agonist, while Wegovy is GLP-1 agonist only.
'Therefore, there may be a difference in impact on appetite suppression and hence subsequent weight loss.'
Advertisement
Mounjaro is a Ferrari, Wegovy is a Porsche, and diet and exercise is a horse and cart.
Toby Nicol
GLP-1 is a natural hormone released in your gut when you eat.
By activating GLP-1 receptors, Wegovy helps slow down stomach emptying and control blood sugar levels, helping with fullness and sending a message to the brain to reduce food intake.
Mounjaro does this too, but also mimics the hormone GIP, which also plays a role in blood sugar regulation and appetite.
It's dual-action may be why Mounjaro is the preferred jab of choice for weight loss.
2
Is your weight loss journey at risk of being halted? You have options, experts say
Credit: Getty
Advertisement
How much does Mounjaro cost now?
The price of Mounjaro doses: These are general prices, but they vary by provider within a £30 range.
2.5mg: £120
5mg: £140
7.5mg: £150
10mg: £170
12.5mg: £210
15mg: £210
Mounjaro can help you lose around 21 per cent of your body weight, while Wegovy can help you lose 14.9 per cent.
In one trial of Mounjaro, the SURMOUNT-1 trial of tirzepatide in non-diabetic patients over 72 weeks, people lost up to 22.5 per cent of their body weight while taking the highest maintenance dose.
More than 89 per cent of people lost at least five per cent of their starting weight.
STEP-1, a 68-week clinical trial carried out to study the weight loss effects of semaglutide (Wegovy), found that people lost up to 17 per cent of their body weight after taking the 2.4mg maintenance dose.
Up to 85 per cent of patients lost at least five per cent of their starting weight.
Advertisement
Mr Nicol said: "Mounjaro is a Ferrari, Wegovy is a Porsche, and diet and exercise is a horse and cart."
HOW CAN I GET THE JAB CHEAPER?
SWITCHING to Wegovy might save you money - if your provider hasn't increased its prices.
Below is a box showing the price of the highest dose of Wegovy and Mounjaro - but because the doses are not comparable, it's difficult to also compare their prices.
Eli Lilly claimed it is negotiating with providers so that the whole increase is not passed on to patients.
Mr Nicol said: 'At CheqUp we are determined to support our patients as best we can – and can announce today that despite these price rises we will not raise prices for those who are on the two lowest doses of Mounjaro.
Advertisement
'We will also not pass on the full cost of the price rise for those on higher doses.'
PRICES OF MOUNJARO AND WEGOVY
Below is a price comparison of Mounjaro and Wegovy at some of the UK's most popular providers.
NOTE: SOME PROVIDERS CONSIDER THE HIGHEST DOSE A MAINTENANCE DOSE AT THE END OF TREATMENT, AND IT IS NOT IMPERATIVE TO REACH IT. DOSES ARE ALSO NOT COMPARABLE.
Prices as of August 14, 2025
CheqUp Mounjaro (tirzepatide) highest dose: £209
Wegovy (semaglutide) highest dose: £160
ASDA Online Doctor Mounjaro (tirzepatide) highest dose: £204
Wegovy (semaglutide) highest dose: £188.98
Oxford Online Pharmacy Mounjaro (tirzepatide) highest dose: £198.97
Wegovy (semaglutide) highest dose: £248.99
MedExpress Mounjaro (tirzepatide) highest dose: £199.99
Wegovy (semaglutide) highest dose: £199.99
Superdrug Online Doctor Mounjaro (tirzepatide) highest dose: £245
Wegovy (semaglutide) highest dose: £295
HOW CAN I GET MOUNJARO FREE ON THE NHS?
IT was a game-changing moment when the NHS announced it would be prescribing weight loss jabs for free.
You need to fit a strict set of criteria to be eligible, but the initial rollout is extremely limited to just 22,000 patients over the next three years.
There are 3.4million people in England who would qualify for treatment under the NICE eligibility criteria.
The NHS says you'll only be prescribed semaglutide (Wegovy) if you have health problems due to your weight and you have a BMI of either:
Advertisement
35 or more, or 32.5 or more if you're of Asian, Chinese, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean origin
30 to 34.9, or 27.5 to 32.4 if you're of Asian, Chinese, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean origin, and you meet other criteria to be treated by a specialist weight management service
Only a specialist weight management service can prescribe semaglutide.
You may be eligible for tirzepatide (Mounjaro) from a GP if you have:
A BMI of 40 or more
And have at least four of these weight-related health conditions:
type 2 diabetes
high blood pressure (hypertension)
heart disease (cardiovascular disease)
abnormal blood fats (dyslipidaemia)
obstructive sleep apnoea
A weight management service or GP can prescribe tirzepatite.
CAN I GET AROUND THE POSTCODE LOTTERY?
THERE is a 'postcode lottery' of prescription, so whether you can access the drugs depends largely on where you live.
Advertisement
Shockingly, as little as eight out of 42 NHS Integrated Health Boards are prescribing the jabs, according to Sky News.
Can you get around it? 'No,' says Dr Hussain.
The NHS says you can check with your local Integrated Care Board to see if you are eligible for an assessment.
Some GP practices have begged patients to stop requesting it from them.
For example, a statement from Dr Khan's Practice in Clayton, Manchester, read: 'Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) is not currently available anywhere in Greater Manchester, including GP practices, hospitals or specialist weight management services.
Advertisement
'Please do not contact us to request it – you'll be contacted directly if you are eligible when the service becomes available in the area.
'Dr Khans Practice are not prescribing GLP-1 medications for weight loss until a service agreement is in place with Manchester ICB which is currently under review.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Irish Independent
15 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Families insured with Laya to be hit with hikes of up to €700
Premiums are going up by an average of 4.5pc on a range plans from October, although there are also some reductions. The Cork-based insurer has more than 700,000 members. Some families will see the cost of their plan rise by more than €700 a year. The moves comes after a succession of premium price rises from Laya, along with rivals VHI Healthcare and Irish Life Health. New player Level Health increased the cost of one of its plans earlier this year. This year insurers have also slashed the benefits on health plans at the same time as they push through huge premium hikes. A leading health cover expert said all four health insurers are now engaged in this 'shrinkflation'. In the past few months VHI Healthcare, Laya Health, Irish Life Health and Level Health have all reduced the benefits on a number of their plans. But consumers were unaware of this. Now Laya has announced a new round of price rises, saying that is seeing a huge increase in demand for medical procedures in private hospitals. Dermot Goode, a broker with Total Health Cover, said the latest rises were expected as they are following previous trends of increasing rates twice per year. The insurer increased prices in April and is now going again in October. The April rise was 6.6pc. Mr Goode said: 'This average of this latest increase is 4.5pc. However, members need to be wary of these average figures as the actual increase on their plan may be significantly higher.' ADVERTISEMENT He worked out that the Signify Care scheme will increase by around €54 per adult, or €80 a year for a typical family renewing on this plan. Some plans will not be increasing, such as Assure Protect, Inspire and Inspire Plus plans. Other plans, such as Simply Connect Plus, will see a much higher increase. It will go up by €289 for an adult. For a family of two adults and two children the annual rise will be €716, he said. This is a 12pc rise. The Momentum plan will increase by €283, or 10pc for a single adult. The insurer said adult and child rates on its Signify plan are being reduced in price from the start of October. Adult rates will reduce by 1pc and child rates will reduce by 25pc. Core Connect Plan has been reduced from €1,741a year per adult to €1,656 since the start of this month. Laya healthcare's Kids Go Free offer will be introduced on Essential Connect Health Plan for a limited time. It will be available from September 1 to the end of this October. Laya managing director D. O. O'Connor said demand for health services is at an all-time high. This was particularly the case in private and hi-tech hospital settings where the company is seeing a 15pc increase claim costs in the year to date. 'While advances in medical technology and new therapies are delivering welcome improvements in health outcomes for our members, this comes at the highest cost we've seen in over 25 years.'
Irish Independent
18 hours ago
- Irish Independent
Mayo councillor joins calls for resignation of Simon Harris
The Aontú councillor's demand follows a similar call made earlier this week by party leader Peadar Tóibín, who has also written to the Cathaoirleach of the Oireachtas Committee on Health urging it to be reconvened immediately and for the Fine Gael leader to appear before it. In a statement released today, Cllr Lawless said: 'If Tánaiste Simon Harris is as caring and compassionate as his carefully nurtured image suggests, he should resign immediately.' Nine-year-old Harvey, from Clondalkin in Dublin, died on 29 July. He had spina bifida and scoliosis and had faced significant delays in receiving urgent scoliosis surgery. In 2024, Harvey's parents, Gillian Sherratt and Stephen Morrison, said their son had been removed from a Children's Health Ireland (CHI) waiting list for urgent scoliosis surgery without their knowledge or consent. Harvey underwent spinal surgery in November last year, having originally been placed on the list in February 2022. In a social media post, Ms Sherratt said the family do not currently have a cause of death. Harvey's parents have also called for the resignation of the Tánaiste. Cllr Lawless continued: 'As a mother, as a human being, I simply cannot imagine the anguish that Harvey's parents and loved ones are going through at the avoidable loss of their little boy, 'Their grief is compounded by the fact that Harvey's death was not inevitable, it could have been avoided had he received the treatment he desperately needed in a timely fashion and, which Harris promised to all children with the condition.' Cllr Lawless highlighted that in 2017, while serving as Minister for Health, Harris promised that no child would wait longer than four months for a scoliosis operation. 'Simon Harris was Minister for Health when he stepped forward and made life changing promises. He gave false promises to desperate children and their families. Not only is this unconscionable, it is cruel,' she said. She added: 'Those of us who know anyone who suffers with the condition scoliosis will know first-hand about the excruciating pain that they can suffer, and the difficulty they can have breathing. Imagine the anguish for the parents who have to watch on helplessly, unable to secure the medical intervention.' The Knock-based councillor stated that the family have still not received any answers as to why the CHI removed Harvey from the waiting list despite his spinal curvature worsening to 130 degrees. Cllr Lawless concluded by saying that Tánaiste should have the decency to resign and if not, she called for him to be sacked: 'We know that Simon Harris is very good at making promises, not so good at actually keeping them. Now is the time to actually have the decency to resign and, if he doesn't have the decency to do that, he should be sacked, 'Politicians simply cannot be allowed to make false promises with disastrous consequences and not be held accountable.' This article has been funded by the Local Democracy Reporting Scheme.
The Irish Sun
20 hours ago
- The Irish Sun
Your ultimate guide to beat the Mounjaro price hike – from switching jabs to getting them FREE on the NHS
From the differences between Mounjaro and Wegovy to cheating the postcode lottery, we reveal everything you need to know... as well as common jab mistakes stopping you losing weight JABS UP Your ultimate guide to beat the Mounjaro price hike – from switching jabs to getting them FREE on the NHS THE price of Mounjaro is set to soar, The Sun revealed yesterday - leaving slimmers desperate and worried at how they will afford the 'life-changing' drug. With the price hike looming on September 1, we reveal how to dodge the spiralling bills, getting your jabs for cheaper - or even free on the NHS - as well as the different side effects to be wary of. Advertisement 2 Eli Lilly has increased its prices of Mounjaro in the UK Credit: Getty The NHS has been giving Mounjaro prescriptions within GP practices since June. Private pharmacies boast 'no GP referral needed', with tantalising prices drawing in an estimated one million paying customers. Costs vary depending on the provider, jab and dosage, but are currently between around £120 and £220 per month. But that's all set to change, as the US-based maker of Mounjaro, Eli Lilly, told The Sun it will be increasing charges in Britain to 'address inconsistencies' with prices it commands from other western countries. Advertisement The price the pharma giant charges pharmacies for a mid-range 5mg dose will nearly double from £92 to £180 from September 1. The maximum available dose, 15mg, will rise from £122 to £330. Eli Lilly claimed to have negotiated with big private suppliers to ensure the whole price increase is not passed on to patients - but with pharmacies already marking up jab prices, the public can expect to see the cost increase. It marks a huge blow for those for whom the jab offers a life-saving way out of obesity. The hefty price would affect those currently on the jabs, as well as those who had hoped to pay for them long-term to avoid weight regain. Toby Nicol, CEO at CheqUp, which has around 50,000 customers on weight loss jabs, said: 'This news will be disappointing for those who have achieved life-changing results with Mounjaro. Advertisement 'This is particularly the case for those on higher doses who will likely see substantial rises in price." Weight Loss Jabs - Pros vs Cons Mounjaro has been dubbed the 'King Kong' of fat jabs because its success tops other brands, including Wegovy (also called Ozempic for type 2 diabetes), and Saxenda. Now, with people considering switching to Wegvoy, some providers appear to have hiked prices of the alternative jab that's similar to Ozempic, in response to the update. Mr Nicol, who says they have reduced the price of Wegovy on CheqUp, says: "Wegovy is a brilliant drug and that's why we don't want anyone to be priced out and think they have to take something which is unsafe. "Do not buy from the cowboys. If the price is to good to be true, it probably is." Advertisement There is no direct dose equivalent, so swapping between drugs is not possible Dr Suhail Hussain Dr Ralph Abraham, a diabetes and endocrinology specialist verified on Doctify, a healthcare review platform, says: 'There is no problem in switching from one drug to another. 'But in a world where the drugs are often not prescribed by experienced doctors, it then becomes difficult to know where side effects might lie.' Here, we answer the worries of readers and address how this could influence weight loss jabs and their success. CAN I SWITCH TO WEGOVY? IT depends who you ask. Mr Nicol says: "It's clinically acceptable to go from Mounjaro to Wegovy. We are developing our own switching plan. Advertisement 'While Mounjaro remains the most effective treatment available, Wegovy is a more affordable option and is also clinically proven as a highly effective weight loss drug that has delivered incredible results for people who are on a weight loss journey. 'We are ready and able to provide advice to those who are looking to switch.' But Dr Suhail Hussain, a private GP verified on Doctify, believes this is likely to affect weight loss. 'There is no direct dose equivalent, so swapping between drugs is not possible,' he says. Wegovy is prescribed between 0.25mg and 2.4mg, while Mounjaro has doses between 2.5mg and 15mg. Advertisement Dr Hussain said: 'The weight loss drugs are generally started at the lowest dose and titrated up. 'So if you were on mid-strength Mounjaro you would have to go onto the lowest strength Wegovy. 'There may also need to be a 'wash out' period to wean off one on to the other - which will again have impact on results." But Mr Nicol says: "It doesn't feel right to do that, it's like a game of snakes and ladders. "We'd be saying to people, for example, on 7.5mg of Mounjaro, that they shuold be transferring over to 1.7mg of Wegovy." Advertisement Patients should receive clinically appropriate care, under supervision, that aligns with their individual health needs and personal circumstances, experts said. WHAT ARE THE RISKS OF SWITCHING TO WEGOVY? A USER would also need to adjust to the side effects of a new medicine. While these are relatively the same for either jab, there are slight differences. 'Mounjaro tends to be better tolerated in terms of GI side effects than Weygovy, so you may experience more nausea or vomiting etc,' says Dr Hussain. The 'very common' side effects of both Mounjaro and Wegovy are nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting and constipation, according to Asda Online Doctor. Advertisement But Wegovy also says headache, stomach pain and feeling weak or tired are very common. WILL I LOSE AS MUCH WEIGHT ON WEGOVY? THE active ingredient in Wegovy is semaglutide, while in Mounjaro it is tirzepatide. Both work in a very similar way on the body. Dr Hussain says: 'The two drugs work in a similar way (both are GLP-1 receptor agonists) but have some important differences. 'Mounjaro is a dual GIP + GLP-1 receptor agonist, while Wegovy is GLP-1 agonist only. 'Therefore, there may be a difference in impact on appetite suppression and hence subsequent weight loss.' Advertisement Mounjaro is a Ferrari, Wegovy is a Porsche, and diet and exercise is a horse and cart. Toby Nicol GLP-1 is a natural hormone released in your gut when you eat. By activating GLP-1 receptors, Wegovy helps slow down stomach emptying and control blood sugar levels, helping with fullness and sending a message to the brain to reduce food intake. Mounjaro does this too, but also mimics the hormone GIP, which also plays a role in blood sugar regulation and appetite. It's dual-action may be why Mounjaro is the preferred jab of choice for weight loss. 2 Is your weight loss journey at risk of being halted? You have options, experts say Credit: Getty Advertisement How much does Mounjaro cost now? The price of Mounjaro doses: These are general prices, but they vary by provider within a £30 range. 2.5mg: £120 5mg: £140 7.5mg: £150 10mg: £170 12.5mg: £210 15mg: £210 Mounjaro can help you lose around 21 per cent of your body weight, while Wegovy can help you lose 14.9 per cent. In one trial of Mounjaro, the SURMOUNT-1 trial of tirzepatide in non-diabetic patients over 72 weeks, people lost up to 22.5 per cent of their body weight while taking the highest maintenance dose. More than 89 per cent of people lost at least five per cent of their starting weight. STEP-1, a 68-week clinical trial carried out to study the weight loss effects of semaglutide (Wegovy), found that people lost up to 17 per cent of their body weight after taking the 2.4mg maintenance dose. Up to 85 per cent of patients lost at least five per cent of their starting weight. Advertisement Mr Nicol said: "Mounjaro is a Ferrari, Wegovy is a Porsche, and diet and exercise is a horse and cart." HOW CAN I GET THE JAB CHEAPER? SWITCHING to Wegovy might save you money - if your provider hasn't increased its prices. Below is a box showing the price of the highest dose of Wegovy and Mounjaro - but because the doses are not comparable, it's difficult to also compare their prices. Eli Lilly claimed it is negotiating with providers so that the whole increase is not passed on to patients. Mr Nicol said: 'At CheqUp we are determined to support our patients as best we can – and can announce today that despite these price rises we will not raise prices for those who are on the two lowest doses of Mounjaro. Advertisement 'We will also not pass on the full cost of the price rise for those on higher doses.' PRICES OF MOUNJARO AND WEGOVY Below is a price comparison of Mounjaro and Wegovy at some of the UK's most popular providers. NOTE: SOME PROVIDERS CONSIDER THE HIGHEST DOSE A MAINTENANCE DOSE AT THE END OF TREATMENT, AND IT IS NOT IMPERATIVE TO REACH IT. DOSES ARE ALSO NOT COMPARABLE. Prices as of August 14, 2025 CheqUp Mounjaro (tirzepatide) highest dose: £209 Wegovy (semaglutide) highest dose: £160 ASDA Online Doctor Mounjaro (tirzepatide) highest dose: £204 Wegovy (semaglutide) highest dose: £188.98 Oxford Online Pharmacy Mounjaro (tirzepatide) highest dose: £198.97 Wegovy (semaglutide) highest dose: £248.99 MedExpress Mounjaro (tirzepatide) highest dose: £199.99 Wegovy (semaglutide) highest dose: £199.99 Superdrug Online Doctor Mounjaro (tirzepatide) highest dose: £245 Wegovy (semaglutide) highest dose: £295 HOW CAN I GET MOUNJARO FREE ON THE NHS? IT was a game-changing moment when the NHS announced it would be prescribing weight loss jabs for free. You need to fit a strict set of criteria to be eligible, but the initial rollout is extremely limited to just 22,000 patients over the next three years. There are 3.4million people in England who would qualify for treatment under the NICE eligibility criteria. The NHS says you'll only be prescribed semaglutide (Wegovy) if you have health problems due to your weight and you have a BMI of either: Advertisement 35 or more, or 32.5 or more if you're of Asian, Chinese, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean origin 30 to 34.9, or 27.5 to 32.4 if you're of Asian, Chinese, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean origin, and you meet other criteria to be treated by a specialist weight management service Only a specialist weight management service can prescribe semaglutide. You may be eligible for tirzepatide (Mounjaro) from a GP if you have: A BMI of 40 or more And have at least four of these weight-related health conditions: type 2 diabetes high blood pressure (hypertension) heart disease (cardiovascular disease) abnormal blood fats (dyslipidaemia) obstructive sleep apnoea A weight management service or GP can prescribe tirzepatite. CAN I GET AROUND THE POSTCODE LOTTERY? THERE is a 'postcode lottery' of prescription, so whether you can access the drugs depends largely on where you live. Advertisement Shockingly, as little as eight out of 42 NHS Integrated Health Boards are prescribing the jabs, according to Sky News. Can you get around it? 'No,' says Dr Hussain. The NHS says you can check with your local Integrated Care Board to see if you are eligible for an assessment. Some GP practices have begged patients to stop requesting it from them. For example, a statement from Dr Khan's Practice in Clayton, Manchester, read: 'Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) is not currently available anywhere in Greater Manchester, including GP practices, hospitals or specialist weight management services. Advertisement 'Please do not contact us to request it – you'll be contacted directly if you are eligible when the service becomes available in the area. 'Dr Khans Practice are not prescribing GLP-1 medications for weight loss until a service agreement is in place with Manchester ICB which is currently under review.'
