Postcode lottery for NHS weight loss jabs, Healthwatch warns

Patients across England face unequal access to NHS-funded weight loss medication, with some turning to private prescriptions, going into debt, or giving up altogether, according to Healthwatch.

The patient champion has raised concerns over the rollout of tirzepatide – branded as Mounjaro - for weight loss, following NHS England’s decision to make it available via GP surgeries from June 2025.

The drug, originally licensed for diabetes, has since been approved for obesity in eligible patients. However, Healthwatch said inconsistent implementation by local health bodies means many patients are being left behind.

Although the NHS rollout is expected to reach up to 220,000 people over three years, only some Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) have put GP prescribing arrangements in place.

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Others are still limiting access to specialist weight management services, where patients can face lengthy waits.

Healthwatch said people who meet the criteria are being told they cannot access treatment or must wait years. Those who can afford it are turning to private providers and face rising costs.

One woman, who had lost over 50kg using Mounjaro to manage lipoedema, told the watchdog that the recent price hike – from £200 to £310 – left her unable to continue treatment.

Healthwatch also raised concerns about the impact on people with diabetes, who have faced supply issues due to growing demand for drugs such as Mounjaro and Ozempic.

One patient said they eventually stopped requesting their diabetes medication after struggling to get a prescription filled for three months.

Healthwatch also warned that mixed messaging from ICBs was deterring people from seeking support.

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In some areas, patients have been advised not to contact their GP about the drug due to 'very small' numbers of eligible patients or because local schemes have not yet launched, the watchdog said.

Healthwatch called on ICBs, GP surgeries and public health teams to provide clearer information on access criteria, particularly for people from ethnic minority backgrounds who qualify under lower BMI thresholds.

It also urged NHS England to begin publishing local data on Mounjaro prescribing to help identify gaps in provision.

Around 64.5% of adults in England are overweight or living with obesity, which is linked to long-term conditions including type 2 diabetes, heart disease and some cancers. NHS obesity-related spending is estimated at £11.4bn annually.

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