Weight Management Advice

Why GPs Cannot Yet Prescribe Mounjaro (tirzepatide) for Weight Loss

You may have seen news about a new weight loss injection called Mounjaro® (tirzepatide). This is a medication approved for use in certain people living with obesity, but it is not yet available to be prescribed by your GP in Kent and Medway.

What is Mounjaro?

Mounjaro is a weekly injection that works by helping you feel full, slowing stomach emptying, and helping to control blood sugar levels. It belongs to a newer group of medicines that were originally used for diabetes and are now being offered to support weight loss in people with serious obesity-related health conditions.

Why can’t my GP prescribe it yet?

Although Mounjaro has been approved for NHS use, it can only be prescribed as part of a structured programme that includes support for healthy eating and physical activity.

This support service – called Behavioural Support for Obesity Prescribing (BSOP) – is still being set up in Kent and Medway. Until this service is available locally, GPs are not allowed to prescribe Mounjaro for weight loss.

It is also important to note that Mounjaro is not available through the NHS ‘Right to Choose’ pathway.

Who will be eligible?

When the service launches, Mounjaro will only be offered to people at the highest clinical risk first. This includes individuals with:

• A very high BMI (adjusted for ethnicity)
• At least three or four obesity-related health conditions, such as:
• Type 2 diabetes
• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Obstructive sleep apnoea
• Abnormal cholesterol levels

This rollout will happen in stages over the next three years, beginning with a small group from June 2025.

What should I do in the meantime?

You can still access NHS advice and support for managing your weight through One You Kent. This includes help with healthy eating, physical activity, and lifestyle changes tailored to your needs.

One You can help you reach and maintain a healthy weight. No gimmicks - just sensible, practical support and advice. The service is provided by the NHS and covers Kent.

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Ramblers Wellbeing Walks groups are found all over England and there should be some within easy reach of where you live.

These short group walks are led by an experienced Ramblers Wellbeing Walks leader along tried-and-tested, easy to reach routes. Because you’ll be walking with others, you’ll feel safe, be supported, and have fun along the way.

Often termed the ‘NHS Soups and Shakes’ diet, and formerly known as the NHS Low Calorie Diet Programme, the NHS Type 2 Diabetes Path to Remission Programme is a free new service for people with Type 2 diabetes.