Tirzepatide (Mounjaro®): A new treatment option for managing obesity
Black Country ICB are commissioning tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) for the management of obesity for an eligible cohort of people who meet the following criteria.
- Have a BMI of 40 or more (or 37.5 for people from minority ethnic backgrounds)
- And have obstructive sleep apnoea on CPAP (or where CPAP is not tolerated)
And have at least three of the following long-term conditions:
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Cardiovascular disease
- Dyslipidaemia
This is in line with NHS England’s interim national commissioning guidance for the implementation of NICE TA1026.
If you have previously accessed tirzepatide through a private provider, the NHS may only continue treatment if you meet the current NHS eligibility criteria following an assessment by the Integrated Care Board’s commissioned weight management service.
If you do not meet the current eligibility criteria in the Black Country, you will be advised of this. Whilst we recognise this may be disappointing, it’s important to note there are other NHS services that can support you. These may include:
- Tier 2 weight management programmes
- Dietitian referrals
- Digital tools and lifestyle coaching
Please be aware if you contact an NHS service with questions about your private tirzepatide prescription, including stopping or tapering off the drug, you will be advised to speak with your private provider.
Weight management services are locally commissioned by the Black Country Integrated Care Board, you can find out more information here:
Please do not contact the practice about tirzepatide at this time. If you are eligible, you will be contacted by your practice.
- Tirzepatide, also known as Mounjaro®, is a GLP1/GIP agonist. Other medications such as semaglutide (Wegovy®), liraglutide (Saxenda®), are known as GLP-1 agonists. Both types of drug work in the same way and mimic gut hormones released by the body after eating, telling the brain you are full and slowing down the time it takes the stomach to empty.
- Tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) will not be accessible to everyone who wishes to use it. People with the highest health risks and who meet the clinical criteria will be prioritised.
- People with a BMI of 40 or more (or 37.5 for people from minority ethnic backgrounds) are selected in the first phase due to increased levels of risk to their health
- People with obstructive sleep apnoea and are on CPAP are selected in the first phase as it causes tiredness, poor sleep, and cognitive issues (the mental processes that take place in the brain, including thinking, attention, language, learning, memory and perception). Treating sleep apnoea and weight management in these patients can quickly improve a patient’s daily life and generally better overall control of their other eligible clinical conditions
- The ICB website has the latest information on access to tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) for weight management in the Black Country, which you might find useful.