The National Health Service (NHS) in England will begin distributing Mounjaro, a potent weight-loss injection, to eligible patients in March 2025. However, due to significant concerns regarding NHS capacity, experts warn that it could take up to 12 years for many individuals to access the drug.
Mounjaro, also known as tirzepatide, is a weekly injection designed to aid weight loss in combination with a reduced-calorie diet and exercise. The treatment has gained attention for its impressive efficacy in clinical trials, with patients losing an average of 20.2% of their body weight—well above the 13.7% reduction seen with semaglutide-based drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic.
Despite the potential benefits, the rollout of Mounjaro will be slow. A report from the BBC reveals that while approximately 3.4 million people in England meet the eligibility criteria for the drug, fewer than 10% will be able to access it over the first three years. Only around 220,000 of the most clinically needy individuals are expected to receive the treatment in this initial phase.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has proposed that the rollout occur over a period of up to 12 years. The plan involves reviewing the situation after the first three years to determine whether the process can be accelerated. However, NHS officials, including Professor Jonathan Benger, Chief Medical Officer at NICE, have made it clear that the phased approach is necessary to prevent strain on other NHS services and to evaluate the most effective way to deliver the medication.
“The world will look very different in three years, which is why we’ve decided to reassess the rollout at that point,” Benger said. “This difficult decision is in place to protect other critical services and allow us to monitor how best to administer this new generation of weight-loss medications.”
Patient advocacy groups have voiced disappointment over the lengthy timeline, with some fearing that many patients could face delays of up to 12 years before receiving the drug due to ongoing capacity issues within the NHS.
Mounjaro works by mimicking the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which regulates hunger and feelings of fullness, ultimately reducing appetite and slowing digestion. NICE has recommended Mounjaro for patients with a body mass index (BMI) greater than 35, coupled with at least one weight-related condition, such as hypertension, type 2 diabetes, or cardiovascular disease.
Initially, the drug will be available only to patients under specialist weight-management services, which are currently in short supply. Approximately 40,000 people in the UK are under such care, and many face waiting times ranging from six to 24 months following referrals from general practitioners.
“This medication is not intended for people with a healthy BMI looking to lose a few pounds,” Dr. Mitra Dutt emphasized.
Fernando Campo, Vice President of Eli Lilly, the pharmaceutical company behind Mounjaro, acknowledged the phased implementation, but stressed that the slow pace would still leave many eligible patients without access to the drug in the near future.
“While we understand the phased approach, it’s important to recognize that fewer than one in ten eligible patients will be able to access treatment within the first three years,” Campo said. “We are committed to supporting NHS England in managing the rollout to ensure that it does not disproportionately impact other services.”
In response, Benger reassured that NICE would continually review the situation, aiming to refine the distribution process and ensure that the treatment reaches all those who need it in a safe and effective manner.
As NHS officials navigate these challenges, the hope remains that Mounjaro will provide significant benefits in the fight against obesity, a growing public health issue in the UK.
Related Topics:
What Are the Weight-Loss Drugs for Women
