GPs to Begin Prescribing Mounjaro for Prioritised Patient Cohorts from Late June

Introduction

NHS England’s interim commissioning guidance mandates that Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) fund access to Mounjaro for obesity treatment in primary care settings starting 23 June 2025. While NICE initially recommended the provision of this weekly injection in primary care, NHS England requested a phased implementation to prevent overwhelming general practitioners.

NICE accommodated this request in its final guidance, stipulating that the drug be made available via specialist weight management services within three months and through primary care within six months. The guidance also directed NHS England to develop a detailed plan identifying eligible patients for the initial rollout phases, focusing on clinical need rather than BMI alone.

Eligibility Criteria and Implementation Strategy

NHS England has outlined an approach that prioritises patients based on comorbidities in conjunction with BMI. This strategy aims to manage primary care capacity while ensuring access for patients with the highest clinical need. Over the first three years, the phased rollout is expected to encompass approximately 220,000 patients across both primary care and specialist weight management services.

Wraparound Care Requirements

Patients prescribed Mounjaro in primary care must receive comprehensive support, including nutritional and dietetic advice and access to behavioural change components. Recognising that such wraparound care is not typically available in primary care settings, NHS England plans to provide centrally funded services to all ICBs from 23 June. Details of this pathway are scheduled for confirmation in May.

Funding and Data Collection

To facilitate implementation, ICBs will receive funding allocations covering drug costs and the anticipated workload associated with establishing the new service within primary care. These allocations will be based on each ICB’s obesity prevalence rates and will not be ring-fenced. Additionally, NHS England intends to publish a template in June to guide the collection of essential patient data within existing GP IT systems.

Alternative Delivery Models

Beyond GP practices, NHS England acknowledges the potential for alternative primary care delivery models, such as community or local-based services and community outreach by specialist weight management services. ICBs will have the flexibility to select the model best suited to their population, with the objective of expanding and scaling these models over the initial three-year period.

Conclusion

The introduction of Mounjaro prescribing in primary care represents a significant development in NHS England’s strategy to address obesity. Through a phased rollout focusing on patients with the highest clinical need and the provision of necessary support services, the initiative seeks to enhance patient outcomes while managing the demands on primary care resources.

Citation:
Parr, E. (2025, April 1). GPs to prescribe Mounjaro from late June to ‘prioritised’ patient cohorts. Pulse Today. https://www.pulsetoday.co.uk/news/clinical-areas/gastroenterology-obesity/gps-to-prescribe-mounjaro-from-late-june-to-prioritised-patient-cohorts/