A quarter of a million people are set to receive the “King Kong” of weight loss jabs under plans for an NHS rollout.
Tirzepatide – also known under the brand name Mounjaro – was given the green light to be prescribed for obesity as well as type 2 diabetes earlier this year.
A trial found that patients who took it alongside diet and exercise advice typically lost a fifth of their body weight in 36 weeks.
The health service is now preparing for a phased rollout which will prioritise those most in need.
NHS national medical director Professor Sir Stephen Powis said the new drug will be “a powerful part of our arsenal to tackle obesity and support many more people to lose weight and reduce their risk of diabetes, heart attack and stroke”.
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He added: “This phased rollout will ensure those with the greatest clinical need can access it as a priority…while we develop new and innovative services through which other weight loss treatments can also be delivered.
“With the sheer number of people potentially eligible for these treatments and GP teams already delivering record numbers of appointments, the NHS is developing a range of community-based and digital services to provide the benefits of weight loss drugs while continuing to ensure GPs can deliver all other vital services patients rely on.”
Digital services could see patients prescribed the drugs in virtual clinics, without needing to attend a face-to-face consultation.
Tirzepatide was dubbed the “King Kong” of weight loss drugs by Texas expert Dr Julio Rosenstock for its incredible weight loss effects, in comparison to the “gorilla” of Wegovy.
The weekly injection, made by Lilly, has a list price of £122 per month at its maximum dose of 15mg. Medicines are offered to the NHS at a confidential discount.
The proposed rollout will begin with patients who have a BMI of more than 40kg/m2 (considered severely obese) and at least three weight related conditions such as high blood pressure, obstructive sleep apnoea and heart disease.
It will then extend to patients with a BMI of more than 40kg/m2 plus two health conditions, and then one.
NHS England has submitted its proposals for the rollout to the National Institute of Health and Care Excellence, which has opened a consultation which will run until October 22.
NICE chief executive Dr Sam Roberts said: “This new generation of weight loss medications has the potential to achieve important health and wellbeing benefits for people living with obesity.
“They can also prevent serious health problems from developing, reducing the long-term risks to individuals.
“Our independent committee found this medicine to be both effective and good value for money. Its use will help people living with obesity to lose weight, and as a result substantially reduce the risk that they will develop serious health-related problems associated with obesity such as heart disease and stroke.
“Because of the very large number of people who could potentially benefit, NICE accepts that a phased roll out is required. However, we now need to hear from stakeholders on the proposals we have received from NHS England.”