Tirzepatide (Weight Loss Drugs)

Eligibility

NHS commissioning of Tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) for obesity management remains restricted to those meeting the NHS England eligibility criteria, i.e. patients with a BMI of 40 or above and four or more qualifying comorbidities, as outlined in NHSE’s interim national commissioning guidance.

Patients who have previously accessed Tirzepatide via private clinics can only continue treatment under the NHS if they meet eligibility requirements upon assessment by an ICB–commissioned weight management service.

Any patient presenting to an NHS service with questions about their private Tirzepatide prescription, including stopping or tapering off the drug, should be directed to speak with their private provider.

Request for medical information following a private consultation

Some private providers are requesting medical information for their patients to enable safe prescribing.

This is non-contractual work for GPs and do not have the capacity to undertake this work.

The responsibility for ensuing access to medical information and verification through examination, lies with the prescriber.

Private providers need to ensure that patients are aware of the benefits, risk and alternatives for the proposed treatment, as well as an understanding of monitoring requirements and long-term treatment goals.

Patients should be encouraged to share their online medical records with their provider in the interests of patient safety.

If a patient are unable to share their information via the online record, private providers are able to request the information from the practice. This will be managed as routine administrative work and will be completed when capacity allows. There will also be a fee payable by the private provider before the report is released. It is expected that the cost will be passed to the patient. The charge is £50.