On 5 December 2024 the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published draft guidance in relation to tirzepatide (Mounjaro™) which is a new drug for obesity management.
Initially, tirzepatide will only be available in specialist weight management services whilst Integrated Care Boards await further national guidance from NHS England.
In the short to medium-term this medication will not be available via prescription from GP practices.
Please see the below FAQs which provide more information on what this means for mid and south Essex residents.
- Tirzepatide is currently prescribed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes but will be available for weight loss purposes starting in 2025.
- People in England over the age of 18 who are living with obesity and another weight-related health issue will be able to access the weight loss drug tirzepatide through specialist weight management services from spring 2025.
- NHS England will provide guidance in early 2025 about which patients with weight-related health problems will benefit the most from tirzepatide and who will be eligible for consideration for the medication.
- Introducing this new treatment to NICE’s estimated 3.4 million eligible patients requires the NHS in England to develop a completely new service, and many healthcare professionals will need to be trained to deliver it. A staged approach to introducing this treatment will help manage demand on existing healthcare services. This is necessary to ensure tirzepatide can be prescribed safely and the appropriate support for patients is available.
- Tirzepatide will initially be offered through specialist weight management services to individuals facing the most significant health risks related to their weight starting in spring 2025.
- Tirzepatide will not immediately be available and will not be accessible to everyone who wishes to use it. Initially, tirzepatide will only be available on the NHS to those expected to benefit the most.
- Tirzepatide works by supressing appetite centres in the brain that control gut hormones. It decreases the appetite and slows the movement of food passing through the body, making you feel fuller for longer.
- Clinical trials have shown tirzepatide can help people living with obesity lose up 20% of their starting body weight when used with diet and lifestyle support, which are required to access the medication.
- Tirzepatide can only be prescribed by a healthcare professional alongside programmes which support people to lose weight and live healthier lives by making changes to their diet and physical activity levels.
- Tirzepatide comes as an injection, which is self-administered once a week.
- Patients can continue taking tirzepatide if they are prescribed it to manage their diabetes.
- If patients are using tirzepatide they have acquired privately, they may be able to access the medication through an NHS prescription if they meet the NICE and NHS qualifying criteria. However, patients should not gain advantage over other patients waiting for NHS care. More information about this will be made available in 2025.
- Tirzepatide might not be suitable for everyone and not everyone who meets the eligibility criteria will want to use it to support their weight loss. A healthcare professional will discuss the most appropriate care and support, based on individual patient’s need. This could include behavioural support programmes, and medical options including prescribing or bariatric surgery.
- Any patient prescribed tirzepatide must participate in the specifically designed ‘wraparound’ care required by NICE guidance. This focuses on diet, nutrition and increasing physical activity levels. As NHS England develops the service, it will provide more details of the wraparound support offer for patients who qualify. Patients cannot be prescribed tirzepatide if they do not wish to undertake the wraparound care support.
- Normal prescription charges will apply unless you are entitled to free NHS prescriptions (for example, because you have a medical exemption certificate).