You may have heard about Mounjaro® (tirzepatide), a new injectable medication that can support weight loss in people living with obesity.

This page explains who is currently eligible to receive this medication in Wales, based on national guidance and Welsh Government policy.

What is Mounjaro®?

  • Mounjaro® is a weekly injection, also known as tirzepatide, originally developed for type 2 diabetes.
  • In December 2024, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence approved it as a treatment option for adults with obesity, to be used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

GP practices in Wales cannot start Mounjaro® for weight loss

  • Currently, GPs in Wales are not allowed to start new prescriptions of Mounjaro® for weight loss. This is a Welsh Government decision.
  • Only hospital-based specialist weight management services can prescribe it for obesity, under the All-Wales Weight Management Pathway.
  • To be considered for Mounjaro® for weight loss, patients must self-refer to the hospital specialist weight management service. This team includes doctors, dietitians and behavioural specialists who will assess and support treatment.

If you feel you meet the eligibility criteria, you can self-refer using the link below.

Hywel Dda Weight Management Service
Who is eligible to receive Mounjaro® for weight loss?

According to NICE and Welsh Government guidance, Mounjaro® can only be prescribed for weight loss if:

  • You are 18 years or older.
  • You have a BMI of 35 or above, or 32.5 or above if you are from a South Asian, Black African, African-Caribbean or other higher-risk ethnic background.
  • You have at least one weight-related health condition, such as:
    • Type 2 diabetes
    • High blood pressure, also known as hypertension
    • High cholesterol, also known as dyslipidaemia
    • Obstructive sleep apnoea
    • Heart disease
Can Mounjaro® be used for type 2 diabetes?

Yes. Mounjaro® may be prescribed for some people with type 2 diabetes if other treatments have not worked.

This depends on your diabetes treatment history and NHS guidance. Not all type 2 diabetes patients are eligible.

Below is an eligibility checklist that GP practices must follow before prescribing.

Eligibility checklist for type 2 diabetes
Criterion Eligible
Adult, aged 18 years or older ☐
Type 2 diabetes diagnosis ☐
On metformin and 2 other oral diabetic medications, such as gliflozins, gliptins, gliclazide or pioglitazone, but diabetes remains inadequately controlled ☐
BMI of 35 kg/m² or above with at least 1 obesity-related problem ☐
Not currently on another GLP-1RA, such as semaglutide ☐
Recent retinal screening completed and shows no contraindication ☐
Agreement to a structured diet, exercise and behavioural programme ☐
Plan for HbA1c monitoring and safety follow-up ☐
Contraindications

Mounjaro® cannot be prescribed to patients with the following conditions:

  • Active retinopathy or maculopathy, also known as eye disease
  • Past medical history of pancreatitis
Summary
Purpose Available from GP? Who prescribes it?
Weight loss, new starts No Specialist only, through a hospital clinic
Type 2 diabetes Sometimes GP or specialist, assessed case by case