Overview

• GPs in England will begin prescribing the weight-loss jab tirzepatide (Mounjaro) from later this month, removing the requirement for specialist referral
• Officials are piloting broader distribution via pharmacies supported by digital platforms to increase access beyond GP practices
• An estimated 1.5 million people are already taking weight-loss jabs as obesity affects about 29% of UK adults and costs the NHS £11.4 billion a year
• NICE has called for a three-year review of uptake and patient outcomes to evaluate long-term effectiveness and financial sustainability
• Medical leaders warn that these medications require careful monitoring for side effects such as nausea, dehydration and pancreatitis and are not a substitute for lifestyle measures