Why GPs Cannot Yet Prescribe Mounjaro (tirzepatide) for Weight Loss
You may have seen news about a new weight loss injection called Mounjaro® (tirzepatide). This is a medication approved for use in certain people living with obesity, but it is not yet available to be prescribed by your GP in Kent and Medway.
What is Mounjaro?
Mounjaro is a weekly injection that works by helping you feel full, slowing stomach emptying, and helping to control blood sugar levels. It belongs to a newer group of medicines that were originally used for diabetes and are now being offered to support weight loss in people with serious obesity-related health conditions.
Why can’t my GP prescribe it yet?
Although Mounjaro has been approved for NHS use, it can only be prescribed as part of a structured programme that includes support for healthy eating and physical activity.
This support service – called Behavioural Support for Obesity Prescribing (BSOP) – is still being set up in Kent and Medway. Until this service is in place in Kent and Medway, it is not possible to prescribe tirzepatide (Mounjaro) in primary care.
It is also important to note that Mounjaro is not available through the NHS ‘Right to Choose’ pathway.
Who will be eligible?
When the service launches, Mounjaro will only be offered to people at the highest clinical risk first. This includes individuals with:
- A very high BMI (adjusted for ethnicity)
- At least three or four obesity-related health conditions, such as:
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Heart disease
- Obstructive sleep apnoea
- Abnormal cholesterol level
We are aware that this situation may be difficult for some patients. NHS England has produced answers to some frequently asked questions , which are available if you open the link, along with more detail about weight management.