The short answer is: maybe, but probably not yet. NICE approved tirzepatide (Mounjaro) for obesity treatment in December 2024, and NHS England began rolling it out in phases from 2025. However, the criteria are strict, the rollout is slow, and the vast majority of people who could benefit won't be eligible for years.12
Here's exactly how it works.
The phased rollout explained
NHS England is introducing Mounjaro for weight management in stages, prioritising people with the highest clinical need first. There are three cohorts, each with progressively broader criteria:2
Cohort 1
BMI of 40 or above (or 37.5+ for South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African, or African-Caribbean backgrounds) AND at least 4 of the following 5 conditions:
- Type 2 diabetes
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- High cholesterol (dyslipidaemia)
- Cardiovascular disease
- Obstructive sleep apnoea
This is the most restrictive cohort. Your GP can prescribe if their practice is set up to do so, but not all GP practices are ready yet — rollout speed varies by region.
Cohort 2
BMI of 35 or above (or 32.5+ for adjusted ethnic backgrounds) AND at least 2 weight-related comorbidities. The comorbidity list is broader than Cohort 1 and includes conditions like PCOS, fatty liver disease, osteoarthritis, and others.
Patients must also have completed a supported weight loss attempt through an NHS, local authority, or similar programme in the last 24 months.
Cohort 3
BMI of 40 or above (or 37.5+ adjusted) AND at least 3 weight-related conditions. This cohort expands access but still requires very high BMI with multiple comorbidities.
NICE will review the rollout at 3 years to determine how access will be expanded further.1
Mandatory wraparound care
Everyone prescribed Mounjaro on the NHS must participate in a behavioural support programme alongside the medication. This is called "wraparound care" and is a requirement of both the NICE guidance and the MHRA licence. The programme — "Healthier You: NHS Behavioural Support for Obesity Prescribing" — runs for 9 months and covers nutrition, physical activity, and psychological support.3
You cannot receive Mounjaro on the NHS without engaging in this programme.
Stopping rules
NHS prescriptions come with continuation criteria. Patients must achieve a minimum of 5% weight loss at 6 months to continue treatment. If this target isn't met, treatment may be reviewed or discontinued.1
What if I don't qualify?
If you don't meet the current NHS cohort criteria, you have a few options:
- Wait for future cohorts: Cohort 2 opens June 2026 and Cohort 3 in April 2027, with further expansion planned over 12 years
- Access through Tier 3 services: If your area has an existing specialist weight management service, Mounjaro may be available through that route (criteria may differ slightly from the GP rollout)
- Private prescription: Most private providers require BMI ≥30 (or ≥27 with comorbidities). Costs £159–£359/month. See our UK providers guide
- Consider Wegovy: Available through Tier 3 NHS services under different criteria. See our Wegovy NHS guide
How to check your eligibility
Use our eligibility checker to get an indication of whether you might meet the current criteria. Remember that only your GP can make the final determination based on a full clinical assessment.
If you believe you meet the criteria, contact your GP practice. They may ask you to provide an up-to-date height and weight measurement so they can calculate your BMI, and they'll check your medical records for qualifying comorbidities. Do not contact your GP to request Mounjaro if you don't meet the criteria — they will contact eligible patients proactively in many areas.
Related articles
NHS AccessCan I Get Wegovy on the NHS?
Different pathway, different criteria — how Wegovy NHS access works.
GuideNHS vs Private GLP-1 Prescriptions
Cost, access, and what to expect from each route.
EligibilityWhat BMI Do You Need?
NHS thresholds, private thresholds, and ethnicity adjustments.