NICE Update on Tirzepatide
On December 23, 2024, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) released an update regarding Tirzepatide, a new medication for managing obesity.
Delayed Availability:
Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) will not be available in Bedfordshire, Luton, and Milton Keynes (BLMK) for several months. Several clinical and procedural steps must be completed before it can be prescribed to eligible patients in these areas.
Specialist Access:
Initially, only patients in specialist weight management services will have access to Tirzepatide. It will not be available through GP surgeries immediately while Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) await further guidance.
Long-Term Availability:
Tirzepatide could take up to 12 years to become fully available to all eligible patients. This will require the development of primary care services and training of healthcare professionals.
Eligible Patients (Spring 2025):
Tirzepatide will be available to adults in England with obesity (BMI of 30 or higher) or weight-related health issues. Eligibility will be based on specific BMI thresholds: BMI of 35 or over with a weight-related health problems or BMI of 32.5 with one weight-related health problem.
Future Updates:
NHS England will release more detailed eligibility criteria in early 2025.
Training and Service Development:
Tirzepatide will not be immediately available as NHS England is working on developing a new primary care service and training healthcare professionals.
Patient Care Requirements:
Tirzepatide may not be suitable for everyone, and not all eligible individuals will choose to use it for weight loss. Your GP will assess your needs and discuss the most appropriate care options, including Behavioural support programmes, other medical treatments, or bariatric surgery.
Additional Care Requirements:
If prescribed Tirzepatide, individuals must follow special care, which includes Eating healthy, exercising more and adopting other important habits. This care is part of the rules set by NICE. The NHS will provide more details about this support in the future.
People cannot access Tirzepatide without committing to this additional care. Normal prescription charges apply unless eligible for free NHS prescriptions.