So, who’s actually eligible for Mounjaro now it’s available on the NHS?

From today, June 23, GPs can prescribe Mounjaro, a weight loss injection, to certain patients on the NHS. The drug, also known as tirzepatide, was originally used to treat type 2 diabetes. But it has been found to help people lose weight by reducing appetite and slowing digestion. However, not everyone qualifies to receive it on the NHS.

Who is actually eligible to be prescribed Mounjaro?

The NHS isn’t handing these out to everyone who fancies losing a few pounds. According to The Independent, the rollout is aimed at people who really need it most. For now, Mounjaro is being offered to adults with a BMI over 40, which is classified as severely obese. On top of that, Professor Kamila Hawthorne, chairwoman of the Royal College of GPs, explained that you need to have at least four other serious health issues linked to obesity.

This means if you’re overweight but don’t have these health complications, you probably won’t qualify for the jab on the NHS just yet. The focus is very much on those with the greatest health risks, as they stand to benefit the most.

So, can anyone just walk in and get Mounjaro?

🚨 From today, NHS GPs begin prescribing tirzepatide (Mounjaro) for severe obesity.

We welcome this step, but effective obesity care goes beyond treatment. It’s about prevention, equity, and sustained action.

📢 Read ASO’s full statement below 👇 pic.twitter.com/VqUbkZKiTo

— Association for the Study of Obesity UK (@UK_ASO) June 23, 2025

Not quite. Previously, treatments like this were only available through specialist weight loss clinics. Now, GPs can prescribe Mounjaro directly, which is a big step forward in making it more accessible. But it’s not as simple as just asking your doctor for it. GPs will need to assess whether you meet the criteria and whether this treatment is right for you.

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Professor Hawthorne also highlighted the challenges GPs face with this new role: “While we recognise the potential benefits of weight loss drugs, we know many GPs are concerned about the implications of the rollout of weight loss drugs into general practice, both in terms of workload and training to appropriately initiate and manage these treatments.”

The plan is to roll out the drug gradually over the next few years, reaching around 220,000 people across England who have the highest need.

So, what about those who don’t qualify yet?

Well, it’s worth knowing that about 1.5 million people in the UK are already taking some form of weight loss medication, whether prescribed through specialist services or privately. For now, if you don’t meet the strict NHS criteria, private prescription might be your only option. But it can be costly.

Olivier Picard, chairman of the National Pharmacy Association, pointed out: “The demand for weight loss jabs continues to rise sharply, and more GPs have been directing patients back to pharmacies after initial inquiries, to access these treatments privately.”

Experts also warn that these injections aren’t a magic fix. Pharmacists agree that medication should be just one part of a full weight management plan. Olivier Picard added: “The biggest concern we have is that prescribing these medications alone misses the point. They should be part of a comprehensive weight management strategy, combining lifestyle coaching, exercise, and nutritional guidance.” Without that support, there’s a risk people might lose weight with the jab but then gain it back once they stop the medication.

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