British MPs Criticize Slow Rollout of Weight Loss Drug Mounjaro on NHS

Millions more Britons should have access to the weight loss drug Mounjaro, according to a cross-party report from the Health and Social Care Committee (HSCC). MPs have warned the government that the current rollout plan is insufficient, with only 6% of eligible patients expected to receive the injections over the NHS's three-year program, which began in 2024.

The report described the situation as 'woeful' and suggested it could push desperate patients towards the black market, risking serious harm. Others are reportedly incurring significant debt by paying over £300 per month for private prescriptions. MPs highlighted this disparity as creating a "two-tier system" that may prevent those most in need from accessing treatment.

Mounjaro, known as the 'King Kong' of slimming jabs, was approved by NHS drug watchdogs in late 2024. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) initially planned a gradual rollout, aiming to provide the drug to 200,000 patients over three years. This staggered approach was intended to manage high demand and avoid overburdening GP services.

However, the HSCC report argues that these targets are not ambitious enough given the scale of the obesity challenge in the UK. "Current plans to rollout Mounjaro are unambitious given the scale of the challenge of obesity and reach a woefully small number of people who could benefit from this lifechanging treatment," the report states. While acknowledging capacity and funding challenges, the MPs suggested that opportunities exist to learn from the private sector's experience with similar drugs (GLP-1s) and to better utilize digital providers.

The committee contended that expanding NHS access to these drugs could prevent serious complications associated with obesity. Committee chairwoman Layla Moran stated that such an expansion could "save the NHS billions in the long-term." Obesity, defined as a body mass index (BMI) over 30, costs the UK economy over £74 billion annually and the NHS more than £9 billion. Approximately two-thirds of adults in England are classified as overweight or obese.

MPs are urging the government to "urgently reassess the pace of rollout of Mounjaro." The drug has shown significant effectiveness, helping patients lose around a fifth of their body weight after 17 months. However, strict criteria currently apply for NHS prescriptions. Mounjaro can be prescribed by GPs only to individuals with a BMI of 35 or higher and at least four serious weight-related health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes, heart disease, sleep apnea, or high cholesterol. Other weight loss drugs like Wegovy are only available through specialist clinics, and Ozempic is prescribed for type 2 diabetes rather than obesity.

Beyond prescribing criteria for GLP-1s, the report suggests broader improvements for obesity treatment. The MPs proposed that the NHS collaborate with approved digital providers to manage prescriptions, monitoring, and support for patients taking weight-loss drugs at scale. This could free up NHS capacity while expanding access, potentially reducing the need for repeated GP appointments for each patient.

Furthermore, the report advocates for recognizing obesity as a chronic, relapsing disease requiring ongoing treatment, similar to type 2 diabetes or asthma, rather than solely a lifestyle issue. The committee also called for increased use of bariatric surgery, which they described as a "cost-effective underutilised treatment for obesity." In 2024-25, fewer than 1% of eligible patients underwent bariatric surgery, with only 6,550 procedures performed. The report recommends doubling this number.

The committee also warned of a developing "postcode lottery" in access to specialist services and surgery, noting significant regional variations. For instance, the North East and North Cumbria performed 785 bariatric procedures, while south-east London performed 340.

Overall, the report concluded that "people living with obesity are being let down by the NHS." Moran emphasized the need for the government to prioritize improvements in obesity care to enhance public health, quality of life, and achieve long-term cost savings for the NHS.

NHS England and the Department of Health and Social Care have stated that they are determined to address the obesity epidemic and will carefully consider the committee's recommendations. They indicated that Integrated Care Boards are expected to make these drugs available as part of a phased rollout, prioritizing those with the greatest clinical need while building the necessary workforce and capacity for safe and sustainable expansion.