Home > Prescribing weight loss medications in south west London – tirzepatide (Mounjaro®)

Prescribing weight loss medications in south west London – tirzepatide (Mounjaro®)

Find out how to access NHS-prescribed weight loss medication tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) in South West London, including eligibility criteria and rollout phases

The NHS in South West London continues to work closely with NHS England to ensure that those who are eligible for the weight loss drug tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) can access the medication from their GP practice.

We ask that all health care professionals are treated with respect while we work to support the delivery of this service.

Eligibility for tirzepatide (Mounjaro®)

Tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) is available in line with NHS England’s phased implementation programme.

As of March 2025, eligible patients have included those with:

Cohort one

As of March 2025, eligible patients have included those with:

  • BMI of or over 40 kg/m² (or of or over 37.5 kg/m² for people from South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean ethnic backgrounds)
  • AND at least four of the following qualifying health conditions:
    • Type 2 diabetes
    • Hypertension
    • Dyslipidaemia
    • Obstructive sleep apnoea
    • Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease

From June 2026, this has been extended to those with:

Cohort two

  • BMI of or over 35 kg/m² (or of or over 32.5 kg/m² for people from South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean ethnic backgrounds)
  • AND at least four of the qualifying health conditions listed above.

This means that as of June 2026, individuals with a BMI of 35 kg/m² or above and four or more qualifying comorbidities may be eligible for tirzepatide treatment.

You will be contacted directly if you are eligible – so we kindly ask that you do not contact your GP practice or book appointments about tirzepatide medication unless invited to do so.

The NHS in South West London continues to work closely with NHS England to ensure that those who are eligible for the weight loss drug tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) can access the medication from their GP practice.

NHS England is introducing access to tirzepatide in phases. Further eligibility cohorts are expected to be introduced in line with national guidance and service capacity.

The publication of the NHS interim commissioning guidance for tirzepatide has set out the approach that will be taken to making this medication available. 

Subject to national guidance and local implementation plans, additional cohorts may become eligible from 2027 onwards.

To ensure fair and safe access, the rollout is happening in phases across south west London including Croydon, Kingston, Merton, Richmond, Sutton, Wandsworth and the rest of England. Tirzepatide is initially being made available to people with the highest clinical need. 

We ask that all health care professionals are treated with respect while we work to support the delivery of this service.

For clinicians

The South West London interim policy statement for GLP-1 based medications for weight-loss sets out the criteria for access to NICE approved weight management medicines: Semaglutide (Wegovy) and Tirzepatide (Mounjaro).

Access to other GLP1-based medications

This webpage provides information on access to tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) for weight management only.

Access to semaglutide (Wegovy®) currently remains through specialist weight management services and is subject to additional local eligibility criteria, as set out in the referral pathway for GPs.

Body Mass Index

Body Mass Index (BMI) is a measurement of your weight in kg divided by your height in meter squared. If you do not know your BMI, you can work it out using a free online NHS calculator.

Weight loss management programmes

In the interim we encourage you to explore existing weight loss options that are already available.

There are several weight loss management programmes you may wish to consider, including:

Specialist weight management services can be accessed via your GP if you meet the criteria.

About tirzepatide

How does tirzepatide work for weight loss?

Tirzepatide works by supressing appetite centres in the brain that control gut hormones. It decreases the appetite and slows the movement of food passing through the body, making you feel fuller for longer.  

Clinical trials have shown tirzepatide can help people living with obesity lose up 20% of their starting body weight, depending on the dose and accompanying diet and lifestyle support. 

Tirzepatide can only be prescribed by a healthcare professional alongside programmes which support people to lose weight and live healthier lives by making changes to their diet and physical activity 

Tirzepatide comes as an injection, which can be self-administered once a week.  

Who can access tirzepatide?

At this stage – phase two – the medication is available only to patients who meet specific criteria:

Cohort 1

  • BMI at or above 40 kg/m² (or at or above 37.5 kg/m² for people from South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean ethnic backgrounds)
  • AND at least four of the following qualifying health conditions:
    • Type 2 diabetes
    • Hypertension
    • Dyslipidaemia
    • Obstructive sleep apnoea
    • Atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease

Cohort 2

  • BMI at or above 35 kg/m² (or at or above 32.5 kg/m² for people from South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean ethnic backgrounds)
  • AND at least four of the qualifying health conditions listed above.

A time frame and criteria for phase three will be published in 2027.

Body Mass Index is a measurement of your weight in kg divided by your height in meter squared. If you do not know your BMI, you can work it out using a free online NHS calculator.

Can I access tirzepatide straight away?

Introducing this new treatment to NICE’s estimated 3.4 million eligible patients requires the NHS in England to develop a completely new service for primary care and many healthcare professionals will need to be trained to deliver it. 

A phased approach will help manage demand on existing healthcare services. This allows the safe prescribing of tirzepatide and the appropriate support for patients. 

Tirzepatide will not immediately be available and will not be accessible to everyone who wishes to use it. Initially, tirzepatide will only be available on the NHS to those facing the most significant health risks related to their weight and are expected to benefit the most. 

What if a patient is already receiving tirzepatide treatment?

Patients can continue taking tirzepatide if they are prescribed it to manage their diabetes.  

If patients are using tirzepatide they have acquired privately, they may be able to access the medication through an NHS prescription if they meet the NICE and NHS qualifying criteria.

I’m currently on a waiting list for NHS specialist weight management services. Can I transfer to another list to access this drug?

A healthcare professional will determine if it is appropriate for you to receive tirzepatide as part of your care in a different care setting (for example, through primary care). 

The NICE announcement mentions ‘wraparound’ care. What does this mean?

Any patient prescribed tirzepatide must participate in the specifically designed ‘wraparound’ care required by NICE guidance. This focuses on diet, nutrition and increasing physical activity.

As NHS England develops the service, it will provide more details of the wraparound support offer for patients who qualify. Patients cannot be prescribed tirzepatide if they do not wish to undertake the wraparound care support. 

Will there be a cost to the patient for being prescribed tirzepatide?

Normal prescription charges will apply unless you are entitled to free NHS prescriptions (for example, because you have a medical exemption certificate).

About the NICE announcement on the rollout of tirzepatide

What is changing in the management of obesity as a result of NICE’s announcement?

People in England over the age of 18 who are living with obesity and another weight-related health issue will be able to access the weight loss drug tirzepatide through specialist weight management services (SWMS) from spring 2025.

Tirzepatide was initially prescribed for the treatment of type 2 diabetes but since April 2025 has also been available for weight loss purposes.

Can I access tirzepatide straight away?

Introducing this new treatment to NICE’s estimated 3.4 million eligible patients requires the NHS in England to develop a completely new service for primary care and many healthcare professionals will need to be trained to deliver it. 

A phased approach will help manage demand on existing healthcare services. This allows the safe prescribing of tirzepatide and the appropriate support for patients. 

Tirzepatide will initially be offered to individuals facing the most significant health risks related to their weight, starting in spring 2025 through specialist weight management services (SWMS). 

Tirzepatide will not immediately be available and will not be accessible to everyone who wishes to use it. Initially, tirzepatide will only be available on the NHS to those expected to benefit the most.

What is a phased approach?

A phased approach to service rollout within primary care means NHS in England will manage the flow of patients to the health system so it does not become overwhelmed.   

This approach will ensure the service is delivered safely and that the NHS in England is able to plan for an increase in service demand, whilst building specific skills and knowledge within the workforce.