You may be aware of recent media announcements regarding the potential for General Practitioners to prescribe weight loss injections, specifically Mounjaro (Tirzepatide), from June 2025. While this is accurate, it is crucial to understand that the eligibility criteria for this medication will be exceptionally stringent.
National calculations indicate that approximately 220,000 patients across the UK will qualify. It is important to note that some of these patients may already be receiving alternative weight management medications.
Given the current challenges in accessing general practice services and limited resources, we kindly request your cooperation in avoiding unnecessary appointments for Mounjaro prescribing discussions if you do not meet the strict criteria. This will help us ensure that appointments remain available for patients with urgent medical needs.
Who will be eligible for Wegovy® or Mounjaro® on the NHS in North East London?
Those with a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 40kg/m2 * and 4 or more qualifying co-morbidities.
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Those with a body mass index (BMI) greater than or equal to 35kg/m2 * and 1 weight related co-morbidity (not restricted to qualifying co-morbidities) and one of the below criteria:
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- In the next few months, GPs will be able to refer eligible people who meet the criteria above to a locally-commissioned specialist service to access weight management medicines on behalf of primary care. Referral criteria will be finalised in the next few weeks and communicated to primary care.
- All weight management services providing access to weight management medicines on the NHS to patients registered with a GP in North East London will comply with the eligibility and referral criteria for medicines as set out in this policy. This includes private providers with an NHS contract.
- For the locally-commissioned specialist service, initiation and ongoing prescribing and monitoring will be made available for primary care.
- Initiation of weight management medicines and ongoing monitoring and prescribing will be made available through specialist weight management services in NEL on behalf of primary care for people who are eligible in line with the criteria in this policy.
- People who are not yet eligible for weight management medicines on the NHS can access a wide range of other weight management services for support. We know there will be many people who do not qualify for the weight loss medications which may cause disappointment and / or exacerbate new and existing mental health and wellbeing issues. People may find NHS talking therapies a helpful source of support. For more information please see: Obesity – Treatment – NHS
- ICB has asked GPs do not start or prescribe Tirzepatide or other GLP1 medications for weight management, initiation will be done by locally-commissioned specialist service.
