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 (tirzepatide) originally developed for type 2 diabetes.

  • In December 2024, the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) approved it as a treatment option for adults with obesity, to be used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

Important: 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 (AWWMP).

  • 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 (see below), you can self-refer using the details below:

Weight Management Service – Hywel Dda University Health Board
https://hduhb.nhs.wales/healthcare/services-and-teams/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, and

  • 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), and

  • You have at least one weight-related health condition, such as:

    • Type 2 diabetes

    • High blood pressure (hypertension)

    • High cholesterol (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

Criterion Eligible
Adult (≥ 18 years) ☐
Type 2 diabetes diagnosis ☐
On metformin and 2 other oral diabetic medications (gliflozins, gliptins, gliclazide, pioglitazone), however diabetes remains inadequately controlled ☐
BMI ≥ 35 kg/m² with ≥ 1 obesity-related problem ☐
Not currently on another GLP-1RA (e.g. semaglutide) ☐
Recent retinal screening done and shows no contraindication ☐
Agreement to structured diet/exercise/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 (eye disease)

  • Past medical history of pancreatitis

Summary

Purpose Available from GP? Who prescribes it?
Weight loss (new starts) ❌No Specialist only (hospital clinic)
Type 2 diabetes ✅Sometimes GP or specialist (case-by-case)