Inequitable distribution of Mounjaro, the prominent weight loss injection, as demonstrated by the fact that only eight NHS care boards are offering the treatment
The rollout of Mounjaro, a weight loss injection, in England is facing significant delays and limited availability, causing treatment postponements for severely obese patients. Despite NHS England's endorsement of the drug and initial funding in March 2025, only funding for approximately 22,000 patients has been provided so far, far less than the estimated 97,500 eligible individuals [1][2][4].
Mounjaro was approved for NHS use in December 2024, and GPs were permitted to begin prescribing it from June 23, 2025. However, the availability of the drug is dependent on local Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) finalizing their implementation plans. Many areas, such as North Central London, have yet to complete this process, delaying access for patients in these regions [3][5].
The eligibility criteria are strict, prioritizing patients with a BMI over 40 and multiple related health conditions. As of the report, only eight out of 42 NHS Integrated Care Boards in England are providing treatment to patients. Many NHS Integrated Care Boards are unable to guarantee when Mounjaro will be available, and at least 19 NHS Integrated Care Boards have a cap on the number of eligible patients they will treat in the first year [1].
Dr. Jonathan Hazlehurst, an obesity specialist, expresses concern that the current system is setting up patients for disappointment and failure. He criticizes the stigma surrounding obesity care and the "eat less, move more" approach as unhelpful, harmful, and stigmatizing. Dr. Hazlehurst compares the slow rollout of Mounjaro to a new cancer treatment, stating there would never be such a slow rollout for cancer treatments [4].
One patient, Gary, who weighs 25 stone (158kg), is eligible for Mounjaro treatment but has been told it will not be available in the Hampshire area until at least September. Gary expresses hope that Mounjaro could help him move around and return to activities like fishing. NHS England expects to take 12 years to assess and prescribe Mounjaro to those who need it [2].
A spokesperson for NHS England states that they have fully supported the rollout of Mounjaro, providing funding and guidance to all Integrated Care Boards. However, research suggests that the rollout has been mismanaged and underfunded [4]. This has led to a postcode lottery situation, where only a few local NHS health systems allow GPs to prescribe Mounjaro, delaying access for the majority of eligible patients.
The lack of funding for the Mounjaro rollout is criticized by Dr. Hazlehurst as a lack of political will. NICE recommends that the NHS offer Mounjaro to patients with a BMI over 40 and at least four clinical conditions related to their weight [3]. With 3.4 million people in England who would qualify for Mounjaro treatment under the NICE eligibility criteria, the current situation is causing concern for health experts and patients alike.
- The delayed and limited availability of Mounjaro, a weight loss injection, in England is causing issues for medical-conditions related to severely obese patients, as it interferes with health-and-wellness improvements and therapies-and-treatments they could access.
- Despite NHS England's endorsement of Mounjaro and funding allocation for approximately 22,000 patients, the estimated 97,500 eligible individuals are affected by this inadequate funding, further exacerbating the need for weight-management solutions.
- Obesity specialist Dr. Jonathan Hazlehurst laments the slow rollout of Mounjaro, comparing it unfavorably to new cancer treatments, questioning the lack of political will and funding in addressing the needs of the over 3.4 million eligible patients in England.
