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Can You Get Mounjaro On The NHS?

Prescription medication has been proven to help with weight loss, providing users with an additional boost when compared to relying on diet and exercise alone. Such is their potential impact, that several have become available on the NHS as a way to combat the burden caused by the UK’s high obesity levels.  

Mounjaro is one of the most popular treatments for weight loss, with studies showing it can result in up to a 22.5% drop in body weight. But can you get Mounjaro on the NHS, and if so, how do you obtain it? Read on to find out more. 

What Does Mounjaro Actually Do?

Mounjaro is a self-administered weight loss injection that contains the active ingredient tirzepatide. It works on two different receptors, GLP-1 and GIP, within the body to help induce weight loss and improve blood glucose levels in type 2 diabetes patients. The treatment differs from other weight loss medicines, which typically only act on one receptor, thereby improving potential results. 

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GLP-1 or glucagon-like peptide-1 is important for regulating blood sugar levels, which then signals to your brain to make you feel less hungry and reduce food cravings. It also slows down stomach emptying, so you feel fuller for longer.

Gastric inhibitory peptide (GIP) regulates energy balance in your brain and fat cells, increasing the effect of lowering your appetite and improving blood glucose levels.

By binding to the receptors of these two digestive hormones and mimicking their actions, Mounjaro enhances weight loss more than other medicines that act on GLP-1 alone. 

Can You Get Mounjaro on the NHS?

Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) was approved by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) on the 23rd December 2024. It is expected to be available on the NHS from Spring 2025 as part of a phased rollout, with only those deemed to have the highest clinical needs able to access it right away. 

Mounjaro

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  • Approved Weight Loss Treatment
  • Suitable for adults with a BMI of +30kg/m²
  • Pre-filled injection pen
 

This staged approach will last for around 12 years, in an attempt to manage the anticipated high demand. As a result, you may experience a very long wait before you can get Mounjaro through the NHS. 

NHS Criteria for Mounjaro

To qualify for Mounjaro during the initial NHS rollout, you will need to have a BMI of 35 or over accompanied by three of the following weight-related health problems:  

  • Cardiovascular disease
  • High blood fat levels (dyslipidaemia)
  • High blood pressure (hypertension)
  • Obstructive sleep apnoea

As the rollout progresses, the eligibility criteria will lessen. In the second phase, you will only need to have two of the above weight-related conditions, before eventually falling to just one. 

How Can You Get Mounjaro on the NHS?

To begin with, Mounjaro will only be available to those who are already receiving care from a specialist weight management service. This should happen within 90 days of NICE publishing its final guidance on the matter. NHS England will then devise a plan for how it will roll out Mounjaro over the following three years.

During this initial three-year period, it’s thought that around 220,000 people will benefit from Mounjaro becoming available on the NHS. NICE will also use this time to collect essential evidence designed to help it evaluate the most effective way to proceed with the remaining nine years of the rollout. 

Do I Have to Get Mounjaro on the NHS?

As you can see, obtaining Mounjaro on the NHS may take some time. The strict eligibility criteria could see you waiting several years for the medication, or being excluded altogether. Thankfully, there are alternative solutions that could help.

Start Your Mounjaro Consultation

Mounjaro is available through a private prescription from a registered clinician, such as Prescription Doctor. Simply complete an online consultation and, provided you meet the required conditions, you could receive your medication the very next day. 

Prescription Doctor Eligibility Criteria for Mounjaro

To be eligible for Mounjaro from Prescription Doctor, you will need to be over 18 years old and have a BMI of:

  • 30 or above or 
  • 27 to 30 with weight-related health issues like high blood pressure, diabetes, or obstructive sleep apnoea

If you think Mounjaro is a suitable weight loss injection for you, start a weight loss consultation with one of our clinicians now. 

Alternative Weight Loss Medication on the NHS

Several weight loss medications are available on the NHS: Wegovy (semaglutide), liraglutide (formerly Saxenda), and orlistat. The first two are self-administered injections, while the latter comes in tablet form. All treatments should be used alongside a low-calorie diet and exercise programme for the best results.

Let’s take a look at these medications in a bit more detail: 

Wegovy

Wegovy works by reducing your appetite and making you feel fuller for longer. It does this by mimicking the naturally-occurring hormone, glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1). The treatment is available on the NHS through a specialist weight management service. Your GP will not be able to prescribe it for you. 

To qualify for Wegovy on the NHS, you’ll need to have a BMI of:

  • 35 or more (or at least 32.5 if you’re of Asian, Chinese, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean origin)
  • 30 or more (or at least 27.5 if you're of Asian, Chinese, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean origin), and if you meet other criteria to warrant treatment by a specialist weight management service 

Wegovy

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  • Approved Weight Loss treatment
  • Weekly injection
  • Reduces risk of heart attack & stroke
 

Liraglutide

Previously available under the brand name Saxenda, this weight loss treatment works in a similar way to Wegovy, but is injected daily rather than weekly. Although Saxenda itself is currently out of stock, its active ingredient, liraglutide, is still available on the NHS. The eligibility criteria are:

  • Aged under 75 years
  • A BMI of 35 or more
  • High blood sugar levels
  • At high risk of heart problems

Orlistat

Orlistat is a prescription weight loss tablet that works by blocking the absorption of some of the fat you eat. It can be taken up to three times a day with a fat-containing meal and is a good alternative if injections aren’t right for you. To get orlistat on the NHS, you’ll need to have either a BMI of:

  • 28 or more and other weight-related health conditions, such as high blood pressure or type 2 diabetes or 
  • 30 or above

Xenical (Orlistat)

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  • Clinically tested to be effective and safe
  • Prevents fat from being digested
  • Registered prescribers are on hand
 

How Much Do Weight Loss Treatments Cost on the NHS?

Medications such as orlistat and Wegovy are usually free on the NHS, provided you meet the relevant criteria and are specifically prescribed them for weight loss. If this doesn’t apply, you’ll need to pay the usual cost of £9.90 per item. The same will be true of Mounjaro when it becomes available on the NHS. 

Are There Any Over-the-Counter Weight Loss Pills?

Yes, alli is a weight loss pill that is available without a prescription. It contains a 60mg dose of orlistat and reduces the amount of fat your body absorbs from your diet. So, when you eat a meal containing dietary fat, alli will stop it from being digested in your body and it will pass out in your waste.

Alli (Orlistat)

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  • Available without a prescription
  • Prevents absorption of fat
  • Proven weight loss aid
 

Begin Your Weight Loss Journey with Prescription Doctor

If you’re hoping to get Mounjaro on the NHS, the chances are you’ll be in for a very long wait. Demand is likely to be extremely high, and the strict eligibility criteria also mean that only those deemed to have the greatest need will be able to access it. Thankfully, Prescription Doctor has the answer.

We have a range of weight loss medications in stock, including Mounjaro, Wegovy, orlistat, and MySimba. As long as you order by 3pm between Monday and Friday, you’ll receive your items the very next day — so there’s no waiting around. With us, there are no awkward conversations, and your products are delivered in plain packages, ensuring total discretion. 

Start Your Mounjaro Consultation

As a licensed provider of prescription medication, our eligibility requirements for Mounjaro and other weight loss treatments are lower than with the NHS, meaning you have a higher chance of being accepted. We’ve been supporting people just like you with their weight loss journeys since 2013, so you can be completely confident that you’re in safe hands. Not only will we recommend what we believe is the most appropriate solution for your circumstances, but we also offer support from dieticians and clinicians to help you along the way.

Ready to get started? Begin your Mounjaro weight loss consultation with us today. 

 

Sources

Authored By

Leanne Edermaniger

Medical Content Writer
Leanne is a science and health content writer focusing on human health and biology while utilising her solid academic background.

Published on: 08/04/2025

Reviewed By

Mohamed Imran Lakhi

MPharm - Lead Pharmacist
Imran Lakhi is the superintendent pharmacist and founder at Prescription Doctor. He has been at the core of our team.

Reviewed on: 08/04/2025
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