Medics voice concern as NHS starts rollout of weight-loss drugs

220,000 patients likely to be treated in three years

- By Ella Pickover

THE mass rollout of weight-loss jabs on the NHS in England will start today as GPs are allowed to prescribe the drugs for the first time.

Around 220,000 people with “greatest need” are expected to receive Mounjaro, also known as tirzepatide, via the NHS over the next three years.

The drug, made by Lilly, is an anti-diabetes jab that lowers blood-sugar levels and slows down how quickly food is digested.

GPs in England will be allowed to give it to severely obese people who suffer from a range of other health problems.

They previously needed to access it through a special weight-loss service.

But leading family doctors say some GPs have expressed concern about the additional workload. And pharmacy experts say there could be pressure on supplies of the drug.

In the first year of the programme, it will be offered to people with a body mass index (BMI) score of at least 40 and who have at least four other health problems linked to obesity, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, heart disease and obstructive sleep apnoea.