NHS Mounjaro roll out starts – with strict criteria
Robert Price | Last update: 26th June 2025
For the first time GPs in England can now prescribe Mounjaro. This is a big step in the NHS’s plans for GLP-1 weight loss treatments. Until now access to Mounjaro on the NHS was only possible via specialist weight clinics and was extremely limited.
How many people will be able to get Mounjaro on the NHS?
The NHS Mounjaro roll out is going to be very limited, especially considering the likely demand. The NHS is aiming to offer the treatment to c.220,000 people with the highest need over the next three years.
Who can get it?
The current rollout is limited to those at the highest risk from obesity-related health problems. To be eligible under the new GP prescription rules, you must:
- Have a BMI of 40 or above (or 37.5 or above if from a minority ethnic background)
- Have at least four out of the following five conditions: Type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, Cardiovascular disease, High cholesterol or Obstructive sleep apnoea.
People who are approved will be given ‘wraparound’ care. Including regular check-ups, support for exercise and healthy eating, and monitoring from the NHS.
NICE will review the rollout after three years to decide whether it should be expanded further. Early estimates suggest up to 3.4 million people in England could eventually qualify.
Why it matters
Dr Claire Fuller, co-national medical director of primary care at NHS England, has called it “an important next step in the rollout of weight loss drugs.” She emphasised the urgency of tackling the UK’s rising obesity levels and highlighted how treatments like Mounjaro can be life-changing.
“These drugs are an important tool alongside good nutrition, physical activity and wider NHS support,” she said, as reported by the BBC.
Advice for patients
The advice is to not contact your GP unless you believe you believe you meet the criteria, unless you have other medical concerns. Not everyone who is eligible will be offered the drug because training and capacity are still rolling out across surgeries.
Mounjaro is not suitable if you are pregnant, trying to become pregnant, or breastfeeding. It’s also not recommended for people with a history of pancreatitis or certain thyroid conditions.
Always remember to discuss side effects with your doctor before starting.
Increased workloads for Doctors?
Some doctors have raised concerns about workload pressures and the need for additional training to safely prescribe and support patients.
GP, Dr David Garley, from the Better Sleep Clinic, says:
“In the short term, the GP workload will go up. Partly to the direct clinical work associated with prescribing, monitoring and managing any complications of treatment, but also due to the inevitable increase of presentations from patients who do not yet meet the treatment criteria.”
There’s uncertainty about drug supply levels as access expands across the NHS. This is something the SlimrChat community is very familiar with.
Dr Garley was keen to remind people who are starting the Mounjaro weight loss drug journey to:
“…see the jabs as one part of a multiple-therapy approach to weight management. The jabs help, but aren’t enough by themselves. A holistic approach to weight is required that includes exercise, nutrition advice, mental health and, fundamentally, understanding the behavioural drivers behind patterns of eating.”
What if I’m not eligible right now?
Both Mounjaro and Wegovy prescriptions are available privately too – through private GPs and online pharmacies, as long as you meet the criteria – there’s more info here.
SlimrChat will continue to follow the NHS rollout closely. Keep an eye on our forums and news section for more updates. If you’ve been prescribed Mounjaro through your GP as a result of this trial, share your experience in the forums or email us directly.