Mounjaro NHS Eligibility 2025: What You Need to Know

Just announced: From Monday 23 June 2025, GPs in England can now prescribe Mounjaro (tirzepatide), a powerful GLP-1 injection, on the NHS. But there’s a catch: eligibility is extremely limited, and many patients may not qualify until serious health damage has already occurred.

Mounjaro NHS eligibility 2025

To be prescribed Mounjaro via the NHS, you must meet all of the following criteria:

• BMI of 40 or above
  (or BMI ≥ 37.5 if you’re from South Asian, Black African, Middle Eastern, or Chinese backgrounds)
• Have four or more weight-related conditions, such as:
  • Type 2 diabetes
  • High blood pressure (hypertension)
  • High cholesterol (dyslipidaemia)
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Obstructive sleep apnoea
• Be enrolled in an NHS multidisciplinary weight management programme, which includes:
  • Diet support
  • Exercise guidance
  • Behavioural therapy

Why This Is Too Late for Many People

A BMI of 40+ typically signals advanced health issues, not just excess weight. By the time people qualify, they’re often already dealing with multiple chronic diseases.

Although the NHS plans to expand access over the next few years (starting with those with a BMI of 35–39.9), many people will only qualify after irreversible damage has been done.

The Medical Evidence: Risk Starts at BMI 25

Decades of clinical research show that:

• Health risks rise significantly from BMI ≥ 25
• In many ethnic groups, risks increase from BMI ≥ 22.5
  (due to differences in fat distribution and insulin sensitivity)

Conditions like type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and cardiovascular disease often begin to develop well before BMI 40.

Why Early Intervention Is More Effective

Acting early, at BMI 25–30 (or 22.5 for at-risk groups) helps prevent chronic disease, rather than waiting to treat it.

When used sooner, GLP‑1 medications like Mounjaro can:

• Improve cholesterol, blood pressure, and blood sugar
• Reverse insulin resistance and reduce inflammation
• Prevent or delay type 2 diabetes
• Lower the need for surgery or lifelong medication

Why Aren’t More People Getting Mounjaro on the NHS?

The current NHS rollout is highly restricted. Only around 220,000 patients will be treated over the next three years.

Barriers include:

• GP and clinician training
• Capacity in NHS weight management services
• Ongoing NICE reviews and long-term data analysis

A GP’s Perspective on Prevention

As a GP with a specialist interest in women’s health, weight management, and preventative care, I believe we’re acting too late.

The metaphor I often use:
We’re reaching for the fire extinguisher once the house is already in flames.

Instead, we need to:

• Identify early signs (like raised blood pressure or HbA1c)
• Offer early lifestyle support
• Consider GLP‑1 medications sooner, under medical supervision

What Can You Do Now?

Prevention is powerful.

If your BMI is:

• Above 30, or

• Above 27.5 if you’re from a high-risk ethnic background,

this is your chance to act before chronic conditions take hold.

Take the First Step

Prevention is powerful. If you’re ready to explore your options for weight loss treatment, including private access to Mounjaro, let’s talk.

👉 Book your free discovery call here to find out if you’re eligible.

Your health is your future, and now is the time to take control.

Speak soon,

Dr Samila