What Has NICE Approved?
On 23 December 2024, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) published its final guidance (TA1026) recommending tirzepatide — sold as Mounjaro — for adults with overweight and obesity in the UK. This follows the earlier MHRA authorisation in November 2023 and the commercial launch in February 2024.
The approval means that the NHS can now prescribe Mounjaro for weight management alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. It is a significant milestone because it allows prescription in both specialist weight management services and primary care.
Who Is Eligible Under the NICE Guidance?
The NICE criteria for Mounjaro eligibility are:
- Adults aged 18 or over
- BMI of 35 kg/m² or above with at least one weight-related comorbidity (e.g. type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, obstructive sleep apnoea, cardiovascular disease, or prediabetes)
- A lower BMI threshold (reduced by 2.5 kg/m²) applies for individuals from South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African, or African-Caribbean ethnic backgrounds
- Treatment must be discontinued if the patient does not achieve at least 5% weight loss after six months
NHS Rollout Timeline
The NHS rollout is phased rather than immediate. From 23 March 2025, NHS England was required to fund access for eligible patients within specialist weight management services. For other eligible groups, including those in primary care, a phased introduction began from six months after publication.
NHS England published its interim commissioning guidance in March 2025 to support the phased rollout. The initial implementation period is up to three years, during which data will be collected to inform a future NICE review.
NHS availability varies significantly by region. Contact your local Integrated Care Board (ICB) to check what weight management services are available in your area.
What About Private Prescriptions?
Mounjaro has been available via private prescription from GPhC-registered online pharmacies since February 2024. The NICE approval does not change private access — patients who meet the clinical criteria can continue to obtain Mounjaro privately through an online consultation with a registered prescriber.
Prices for private prescriptions typically start from £149/month for the starting dose (2.5mg) and increase with higher doses. All providers listed on WhichWeightMeds.org are independently verified and GPhC-registered.