Mounjaro (Tirzepatide)

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From end of June 2025 (cohort 1), to be able to be able to have Mounjaro prescribed by your GP, you will need a BMI of over 40 with the four of the five following conditions:

1.     Diagnosed hypertension

2.     Diagnosed sleep apnoea

3.     Diagnosed type 2 diabetes

4.     Diagnosed cardiovascular disease

5.     Diagnosed hypercholesterolaemia.

If you do not meet this criteria, we cannot prescribe for you (based on the current guidance).

Information for practitioners regarding this has just become available and training will be required therefore please do not contact the surgery at this point. If you are in this cohort, we will contact you.

We appreciate your support in this matter.

What other options do I have for weight loss support via the NHS?

Tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) will not be suitable for everyone and not everyone who meets the eligibility criteria will want to use it to support their weight loss. There are other options available including weight loss programmes that use tried and tested methods such as lifestyle changes and nutrition and physical activity advice. Please speak to a healthcare professional about what the best option is, that is offered locally to you.

There are other options available, depending on the health-related conditions you have and your BMI. The NHS Digital Weight Management Programme is available for those with diabetes, high blood pressure or both, with a BMI greater than 30. The BMI threshold is lowered to 27.5 for those from South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean ethnic backgrounds. NHS staff do not need high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes to access the programme.

The NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme is available if you are aged 18–65, have a diagnosis of type 2 diabetes within the last 6 years and have a BMI over 27 kg/m² (where individuals are from White ethnic groups) or over 25 kg/m² (where individuals are from Black, Asian and other ethnic groups).

Adults are eligible to access the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme if they have had a blood test in the last year that shows they are at risk of diabetes or if you were diagnosed with diabetes in pregnancy (gestational diabetes).

For information about the Specialist Weight Management Service https://www.southtees.nhs.uk/resources/specialist-weight-management-service-swms/