The injectable weight loss medicine Mounjaro will be rolled out to a quarter of a million patients in England over a three-year period according to NHS proposals. 

Last week, NICE announced a consultation on NHS England’s plan, which sets out “a range of community-based services and digital technologies” that are to be developed in order to provide access to Mounjaro for almost 250,000 people in the first three years.

Draft NICE guidance published in June recommended that the type 2 diabetes drug, which contains the active ingredient tirzepatide and costs £122 per month at the maximum 15mg dose list price, be provided on the NHS to treat obesity.  

Given the prevalence of obesity in England, with around 64 per cent of adults either overweight and obese, NHSE is planning a phased roll out to target those likely to “achieve the greatest clinical benefit… without compromising other NHS services on which patients rely”. 

The use of injectable weight loss medicines has gone mainstream in recent years, sparking huge public demand. In January, the Government issued a patient warning advising that supply levels of GLP-1 receptor agonists were unlikely to return to normal before 2025. 

In the first instance of the proposed phased roll out, the once-weekly injections would be offered to people with a body mass index of more than 40kg/m2 and “at least three” of either hypertension, dyslipidaemia, obstructive sleep apnoea or cardiovascular disease.  

Following this, it would be offered to patients with a similar BMI and two weight-related health problems, and then to patients with one related condition. 

Mounjaro would be given “as part of a wraparound package including diet and exercise support” in either primary or secondary care, with services delivered by a multidisciplinary team including dietitians and psychologists. 

“These operating models would be tested and evaluated with the most appropriate and cost-effective selected to support weight loss for an increasing number of people over the following nine years,” said NICE. 

The NICE consultation is open to “registered stakeholders” until Tuesday October 22.

NICE chief executive Dr Sam Roberts said: “This new generation of weight loss medications has the potential to achieve important health and wellbeing benefits for people living with obesity.

“They can also prevent serious health problems from developing, reducing the long-term risk to individuals. 

“Our independent committee found this medicine to be both effective and good value for money. 

“Its use will help people living with obesity to lose weight, and as a result substantially reduce the risk that they will develop serious health-related problems associated with obesity, such as heart disease and stroke. 

“Because of the very large number of people who could potentially benefit, NICE accepts that a phased roll out is required.  

“However, we now need to hear from stakeholders on the proposals we have received from NHSE.”  

NHS national medical director Stephen Powis said: “With the sheer number of people potentially eligible for these treatments and GP teams already delivering record numbers of appointments, the NHS is developing a range of community-based and digital services to provide the benefits of weight loss drugs while continuing to ensure GPs can deliver all other vital services patients rely on.”