It was announced on 23 June 2025 that people living with obesity will be able to begin accessing tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) for weight loss purposes in primary care settings.
However, this announcement does not mean prescriptions will be provided immediately to all eligible patients in GP practices across the country.
Weight management services are locally commissioned and funded at an Integrated Care Board (ICB) level, which means services will differ across each ICB. In mid and south Essex, access to tirzepatide (Mounjaro) will initially be through specialist weight management services only.
Patients who wish to access Mounjaro through the specialist weight management service must meet the eligibility criteria for Mounjaro. Patients who currently pay for Mounjaro outside of the NHS and would like to request a prescription through the NHS will need to meet the eligibility criteria for the medication at the time of their NHS referral to the Tier 3 specialist weight management service. Please refer to the FAQ below for further details.
Please note that acceptance onto the Tier 3 specialist weight management service does not guarantee access to Mounjaro. Access to this medication is prioritised for those with the greatest clinical need; it’s for people living with obesity, in poor health with multiple obesity-related conditions as they would benefit most from the treatment. Details of the eligibility criteria for Mounjaro are included in the FAQ below.
Access to tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) through primary care is not expected to start in mid and south Essex until 2026.