It’s understandable to be confused about whether your GP can prescribe Mounjaro (also known as Tirzepatide) for weight loss, especially with all the headlines! While it’s true that Tirzepatide can now be prescribed for weight management, getting it from your GP right now might not be as straightforward as it seems.
Here’s a quick look at the situation:
* For Type 2 Diabetes: GPs have been prescribing Tirzepatide for managing Type 2 diabetes on the NHS since October 2023.
* For Weight Loss: The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommended Tirzepatide for managing overweight and obesity in December 2024. What’s different about Mounjaro compared to other weight loss injections like Saxenda (Liraglutide) and Wegovy (Semaglutide) is that it’s not restricted to specialist weight management services. This means, in theory, your GP could prescribe it.
So, what’s the catch? The NHS is under pressure.
The NHS simply doesn’t have unlimited funds to provide weight loss medication to everyone who could benefit. Because of this, new guidance was issued in March 2025 to make sure that those who are at the highest risk get priority.
Am I eligible for an NHS prescription of Mounjaro for weight loss?
As of June 23, 2025, you might be considered for an NHS prescription of Tirzepatide, along with a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, if you are:
* An adult living with obesity with a Body Mass Index (BMI) of more than 40 kg/m2, AND
* Have at least four out of these five specific weight-related health conditions:
* Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease (heart disease)
* Hypertension (high blood pressure)
* Dyslipidaemia (unhealthy blood fat levels)
* Obstructive sleep apnoea (a sleep disorder)
* Type 2 diabetes (high blood sugar)
Important note on ethnicity: A lower BMI threshold (reduced by 2.5 kg/m2) is used for people from South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African, or African-Caribbean ethnic backgrounds.
Why your GP might not be able to prescribe it yet:
Even though Mounjaro can be prescribed by GPs, there are some practical challenges:
* GP workload: GPs are already very busy and taking on the additional work to safely prescribe and monitor this medication can be a challenge.
* Lack of support: Most GP practices don’t have the resources to provide the necessary support for patients to achieve a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, which are essential alongside the medication.
What’s happening now?
Local healthcare organisations called Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) are working hard to figure out how to provide this care safely and fairly across the country.
If you’re in Devon:
At the moment, if your GP practice is in Devon, you won’t be able to get an NHS prescription for Mounjaro for weight loss directly from your GP. This situation might change in the near future.
For healthcare professionals: Up-to-date guidance can be found in the Devon Joint Formulary: Tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) – South & West Dr Natasha Vanstone, GP with an Extended Role in Obesity & Weight Management, 23rd June 2025.
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