Overweight Individuals Must Wait for ‘Weight-Loss Injections’ on the NHS
Rollout of Mounjaro to those with obesity-related conditions will need to be carefully managed to meet the high demand, according to a new guidance from a watchdog.
Less than one in 10 eligible individuals in England will initially have access to the weight-loss drug known as the “King Kong” due to prioritization of those with the most urgent need, officials have revealed.
The decision to ration the sought-after Mounjaro jabs was made to safeguard other essential NHS services, as stated by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE).
NICE has advised the use of Mounjaro (tirzepatide) for individuals with a BMI over 35 and at least one obesity-related condition, potentially qualifying about 3.4 million people for the drug. However, only around 220,000 individuals could benefit from it in the initial three-year trial period.
Further guidance on the rollout of Mounjaro will be provided by NICE after the initial trial period, considering that the cost of the drug to NHS is £122 per patient per month for the highest dose, administered through a self-injection pen.
Mounjaro, a glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist originally developed as a diabetes medication, has appetite-suppressant properties that make it a valuable tool for weight management in individuals living with obesity.
Additional GLP-1 agonists like semaglutide are also available under different brand names.
The green signal for Mounjaro to address obesity was given by NICE in June following the earlier approval of Wegovy.
Pilot Scheme
A pilot program conducted by Health Innovation Manchester in partnership with the NHS and Lilly aims to test the efficacy of the drug in supporting individuals to return to work.
Alongside guidance on a reduced-calorie diet and exercise, the once-weekly jab is prescribed to aid in weight loss.
Professor Jonathan Benger of NICE noted that the evolving healthcare landscape necessitates a review of medication delivery strategies every three years.
He emphasized the importance of prioritizing individuals with the highest clinical need for drugs like tirzepatide to protect essential NHS services and explore innovative ways of providing these weight-loss medications.
NICE’s final guidance recommends gradual phase-wise rollout of Mounjaro over a 12-year period, with patients accessing the drug through specialist weight management services within 90 days of the guidance publication.
Impact on Other Services
Benger stressed the need for meticulous management in rolling out tirzepatide to avoid disproportionate impacts on other health services.
NICE plans to reassess the situation in three years to offer additional insights on managing the drug rollout, leveraging lessons learned from the initial phases.
The latest Health Survey for England reveals a high prevalence of overweight and obesity, emphasizing the urgent need for interventions like Mounjaro to address the public health crisis.
Dr. Kath McCullough, NHS England’s national adviser for obesity, cautioned that weight loss drugs are not a quick fix and must be part of a holistic approach that includes lifestyle changes for sustained benefits.
The Eli Lilly logo on one of the company’s offices in San Diego on Sept. 17, 2020. Mike Blake/Reuters
Side Effects
A recent study comparing tirzepatide and semaglutide for weight loss found tirzepatide to be more effective, with fewer reported side effects like fatigue, constipation, and nausea.
Despite the benefits, individuals prescribed Mounjaro may still experience side effects, highlighting the importance of careful monitoring and management by healthcare professionals.
The expanding obesity drug market underscores the growing need for innovative solutions to address the rising prevalence of obesity-related health conditions.
