What is Mounjaro?
Mounjaro is the brand name for a medication called Tirzepatide. Whilst it is used in the treatment of type 2 diabetes, it can also be used as a weight loss drug.
It works by making you feel fuller for longer, thereby reducing hunger. When used in conjunction with a balanced diet, this can lead to substantial weight loss.
Can I get Mounjaro on the NHS?
Mounjaro is available on the NHS, but there are eligibility requirements. Using the list below, you can check whether you qualify for NHS treatment.
Your most recent Body Mass Index (BMI) must be over 40 kg/m², or 37.5 kg/m² if you are from a Black, Asian or Minority Ethnic (BAME) background. If your BMI is below this threshold, you will not be eligible for NHS-funded Mounjaro.
Other exclusion criteria include pregnancy, recent bariatric surgery, eating disorders, frailty, or severe medical conditions.
You must have four of the following:
- Hypertension (High blood pressure
- High Cholesterol/Lipid problems
- Obstructive Sleep Apnoea
- Cardiovascular Disease (Stroke, Heart failure, heart disease or Peripheral artery disease)
- Type 2 Diabetes
If you meet the BMI criteria alongside the four conditions, then you may be eligible for the medication through the NHS.
Please book an appointment with a member of our nursing team to discuss the injection.
Please note: the final decision lies at the discretion of the GP prescribing the medication.
What are my other Weight Loss Management options?
Even if you don’t qualify for Mounjaro, there are other free NHS services for weight management:
NHS Digital Weight Management Programme
BMI over 30 kg/m², or 27.5 kg/m² (for individuals from BAME backgrounds)
Diagnosed with type 2 diabetes or hypertension (high blood pressure)
National Diabetes Prevention Programme
HbA1c of 42–47 mmol/mol, or fasting glucose of 5.5–6.9 mmol/l
Type 2 Diabetes Remission Pathway
Aged 18–65
Diagnosed with type 2 diabetes within the last 6 years
BMI over 27 kg/m², or 25 kg/m² (for individuals from BAME backgrounds)
HbA1c below 87 mmol/mol
Up to date with all diabetic health checks
Everyone Health Programme (Staffordshire only)
BMI over 30 kg/m², or 27.5 kg/m² (for individuals from BAME backgrounds)
Must live in Staffordshire, not Stoke-on-Trent
Can I go private?
Yes, you can. Mounjaro is available privately, most commonly through local pharmacies. The cost of the medication may vary between providers.
Eligibility criteria may also differ depending on the provider.
If you decide to go private, we will be informed that you have started the medication, and this will be noted in your medical records to ensure completeness.
Why am I eligible to go private compared to the NHS?
Private providers have less strict prescribing criteria because the cost of the medication is paid by the patient.
Due to the high cost of the drug, the NHS has implemented stricter criteria to ensure that funding is used appropriately.