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Mounjaro for Weight Loss – Patient Update

We would like to update all patients following recent media coverage about the weight loss medication Mounjaro (also known as Tirzepatide) and its availability through GPs.

At School Lane, we will not be prescribing this medication for weight loss or obesity at the surgery. This is because a safe and appropriate service for providing this treatment has not yet been established within primary care.

Locally, our NHS commissioner, Norfolk and Waveney (ICB) are working to set up the necessary services to support this treatment. We do not have a date when this community service will be launched and access will be limited to a small number of people who meet specific national criteria.

The current eligibility criteria set out nationally is that a patient MUST have:

  • A BMI of 40 or more

PLUS FOUR or more of the following diagnosed conditions:

  • Type 2 diabetes
  • High blood pressure (hypertension)
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Obstructive sleep apnoea
  • Dyslipidaemia (abnormal levels of fat in blood)

Once this service is in place, we will be able to refer eligible patients directly to it. We will not be holding a waiting list for this either as there is currently not timescale as to when this service will be open.

In the meantime, a small number of patients who meet the eligibility criteria may be referred to the specialist Tier 3 Weight Management Service. This service is delivered by a team with the expertise to safely support patients in managing their weight, including considering whether medications such as Mounjaro may be appropriate as part of a comprehensive plan.

It’s important to understand that medication alone is not a “quick fix”. Successful and sustained weight loss requires a holistic approach, including lifestyle, nutritional, and psychological support alongside any treatment.

For more information, please visit the Norfolk and Waveney ICB website via the link below: https://improvinglivesnw.org.uk/our-work/healthier-communities/medicines/tirzepatide-frequently-asked-questions/