GPs are now able to prescribe Mounjaro injections, but only if patients meet strict guidelines
NHS England has announced that GPs will now be able to prescribe Mounjaro injections. Originally licensed for type 2 diabetes treatment, the medication’s use as a weight loss aid stems from its appetite-suppressing properties.
The health service aims to make these injections widely available, but this is a long-term objective. Starting on Monday, a very limited group of people will be able to get prescriptions for it through their GP.
Currently, two criteria must be met to qualify for the prescription. Firstly, a BMI of 40 or over is required, however, if you’re from a minority ethnic background, you may be eligible with a BMI of 37.5 or over.
Additionally, you’ll need to have been diagnosed with four out of the following five conditions:
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure
- Heart and vascular disease
- High cholesterol
- Obstructive sleep apnoea
In this initial rollout, it’s expected that 220,000 people will be eligible and receive Mounjaro through the NHS in the next three years, according to the Guardian. Previously, patients needed to use special weight loss services to access the medication.
As weight loss medication became mainstream news, GP surgeries have reported being overwhelmed with requests for the injections. With these criteria now in the open, GPs are urging people not to approach their local surgery unless they meet the eligibility requirements, according to the BBC.
BMI is calculated by comparing your height and weight, with ethnicity factored in for certain risk factors. It has faced criticism for not accounting for muscle mass, which could skew results, but remains the most common method for assessing obesity in healthcare.
The NHS provides a complimentary BMI calculator online here. According to this tool, a BMI between 18.5 and 25 is deemed healthy, below 18.5 is underweight, 25 to 30 is overweight, and over 30 is considered obese.
The NHS tool also suggests “next steps” for those whose BMI falls outside the healthy range. Even if you are eligible for the jabs, the early days of this rollout could lead to some hiccups as experts have already warned the supply set aside for GP prescriptions won’t be enough to satisfy demand.
Mounjaro also requires monthly follow-ups, demanding significant time and effort from medical professionals. As a result, GP surgeries will likely be strategising to ensure they don’t exceed their capacity.
In Wales, the government is deliberating on a primary care rollout, with the injections presently accessible only via specialist weight management services. Northern Ireland, meanwhile, is implementing a regional obesity management service.
For people who don’t qualify or live in regions where GPs aren’t offering the treatment, Dr Xand offered reassurance on Morning Live: “If you think these drugs would help but you don’t meet the criteria, I think it’s worth saying there are lots of drugs in the pipeline, it is very likely that the price can come down.
“It can be frustrating to have to wait. But I think over the next few years, the picture is optimistic for people who want these drugs.”