As you may be aware, Mounjaro has now been approved for prescribing within primary care from the 23rd of June 2025

However, this does not mean that it is currently available for us to prescribe as GP's

• Currently, the medication is marked as a 'RED Drug', meaning that we can not start precribing it as GP's, we can only take over prescribing if an NHS specialist has initiated it
• There is no weight management service comissioned locally that can initiate the prescription, although this is currently being looked at by the governing body.
• We can not take over prescribing from a private provider or a private consultant, or an NHS consultant from out of area.
• It is a mandatory requirement of Mounjaro prescribing that there is a 'wrap around' service that helps with diet, lifestyle and exercise. This has also not been comissioned as of yet. 

Therefore, even though the media announcements have suggested availability, the infrastructure and governence are not yet in place locally for us to be able to prescribe. 

Who would be eligible?

Unlike private providers, the NHS has a higher threshold for eligbility for Mounjaro when prescribing does become available. You will need to fulfil the following criteria:

• Have a BMI of 40 or over
• Have four or more of the following conditions: (Type II diabetes, Hypertension, Dyslipidaemia, Obstructive sleep apnoea, cardiovascular disease)
• Have no contraindications for the medication.

Right to Choose Referrals

We understand that some patients would like to be referred to OVIVIA under the NHS right to choose. However, as a practice we cannot offer referrals to this service, because they require us to take part in shared care arrangements that fall outside our expertise and training. Referring patients in this way would not be safe or appropriate for us to manage.

Patients in England do have the right to choose a provider for their NHS care, but this is not an unlimited right. A GP is only obliged to make a referral where:

• The provider is an NHS-commissioned service that meets the relevant requirements.

• The referral can be made safely and appropriately.

If a service demands shared care responsibilities (e.g. prescribing or monitoring) that fall outside the GP’s competency, the GP is not obligated to agree. The GMC and BMA guidance both stress that GPs should not agree to provide care they are not trained or resourced to deliver.

This page will be kept up to date with the latest local developments and comissioning guidance. Last updated 18/8/25