Fewer than 10% of eligible patients in England will initially gain access to the highly anticipated weight-loss drug Mounjaro through the NHS, as officials prioritize those with the most urgent needs. Known as the “King Kong of weight loss drugs,” Mounjaro (tirzepatide) will be rolled out gradually over a 12-year period to safeguard other essential NHS services, according to the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
NICE has approved Mounjaro, manufactured by Eli Lilly, for individuals with a body mass index (BMI) over 35 and at least one weight-related health condition. This group is estimated to include approximately 3.4 million people across England. However, to manage demand, the NHS will initially make the drug available to about 220,000 people during the first three years. NICE plans to reassess the rollout strategy after this initial phase and provide further guidance.
Mounjaro’s Role in Obesity Management
Mounjaro is a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist, a class of medications designed to regulate blood sugar levels and aid weight loss. The once-weekly injection is intended to be used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and regular exercise. Similar drugs in this category include semaglutide, marketed under brand names such as Wegovy, Ozempic, and Rybelsus.
Approved by NICE earlier this year as part of its draft guidance, Mounjaro is expected to significantly reduce the risk of heart disease and stroke for individuals living with obesity. “Tirzepatide and other drugs like it will help people living with obesity to lose weight and improve their overall health,” said Prof. Jonathan Benger, NICE’s chief medical officer.
However, Prof. Benger emphasized that only patients with the highest clinical need will receive the drug in the early stages of the rollout. “This means many people will have to wait. We have had to make this difficult decision to protect other vital NHS services and to test ways of delivering this new generation of weight loss medications effectively,” he said.
NHS Prioritization and Long-Term Rollout
Final guidance from NICE reveals that NHS England requested a phased rollout of Mounjaro over 12 years, beginning with patients enrolled in specialist weight management services. These individuals will gain access to the drug within 90 days of the guidance being published on 23 December.
Over the next three years, NHS England will develop a detailed plan identifying additional patient groups who will be offered Mounjaro. Prof. Benger stated, “We want to help NHS England carefully manage the rollout of tirzepatide to ensure that other services are not impacted in a disproportionate way.”
While the rollout plan is designed to span 12 years, NICE has committed to reviewing the situation after three years to assess the effectiveness of the initial phase. The findings will inform subsequent decisions on how to expand access to all eligible patients safely and efficiently.
Obesity Rates and Mounjaro’s Efficacy
The latest Health Survey for England indicates that 64% of adults in the country were overweight or obese in 2022, highlighting the growing need for effective weight loss treatments. Clinical trials conducted by Eli Lilly, known as Surmount-5, demonstrated that patients treated with tirzepatide achieved an average weight loss of 20.2%, compared to 13.7% for those on semaglutide.
Mounjaro’s impressive results have sparked widespread interest, but its limited initial availability on the NHS underscores the challenges of balancing innovation with resource allocation. NICE’s phased approach aims to ensure that the rollout is equitable, sustainable, and supportive of broader healthcare needs.
