Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) - Important Information regarding the availability of weight-loss injections on the NHS.
There has been a lot of publicity around Mounjaro (Tirzepatide) in the media in recent months and we have been inundated with queries as a result.
At present, this treatment is not generally available for prescribing by your GP.
Despite the recent update to national guidance, the eligibility criteria for an NHS prescription remains extremely limited and very specific.
Only patients meeting the following eligibility criteria can be considered for assessment for Mounjaro:
- · With a BMI of 40kg/m2 or above (or 37.5 kg/m2 for people from South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean ethnic backgrounds)
AND
At least FOUR out of the following five diagnosed health conditions
i. Established Type 2 diabetes
ii. Hypertension requiring blood pressure lowering therapy
iii. Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease
iv. Obstructive sleep apnoea where treatment is indicated i.e. continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP)
v. Dyslipidaemia requiring treatment
Further advice to this effect is available via the ICB website here:
NHS prescriptions for weight loss injections - NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly
This clearly explains that 'If you do NOT meet the criteria above, please do not contact your GP practice to ask for these new injections. They are following strict NHS guidance and will not be able to prescribe them to you at this time. '
As such, we kindly ask patients not to contact the practice regarding Mounjaro/Tirzepatide treatment.
If you are seeking a private prescription for Mounjaro/Tirzepatide, please approach private providers directly. We are not contracted or resourced to support this, and unfortunately, we are unable to advise on who, where or how this treatment may be accessed privately, including any associated monitoring requirements.
Important Information – Contraception & Pregnancy
One particular area of concern is the impact of Mounjaro on contraception and pregnancy:
- Reduced Effectiveness of the Pill – Mounjaro can make oral contraceptive pills less effective, increasing the risk of unintended pregnancy. Patients using oral contraception should consider alternative methods.
- Pregnancy Risks – Mounjaro has not been proven safe for use during pregnancy. If planning a pregnancy, it is recommended to stop Mounjaro at least 4 weeks beforehand to allow it to fully leave the system.
- More information – Here is a really helpful patient information leaflet from the FSRH regarding contraception and weight loss medications; https://tinyurl.com/FSRHleaflet
If you have any concerns, please discuss them directly with the prescribing provider.
Thank you for your understanding and cooperation.
Quay Lane Surgery