NHS Somerset ICB Weight Management & Tirzepatide (Mounjaro)
NHS Somerset has been working with partners to ensure we meet the requirements of the NICE technology appraisal for tirzepatide (Mounjaro) and it’s recommendation for roll-out within primary care. This implementation will occur over a 12 year period in line with NHSE guidance.
Tirzepatide, also known as Mounjaro®, is a GLP1/GIP agonist. Other medications such as semaglutide (Wegovy®), liraglutide (Saxenda®), are known as GLP-1 agonists. Both types of drug work in the same way and mimic gut hormones released by the body after eating, telling the brain you are full and slowing down the time it takes the stomach to empty.
23 June 2025 will see the beginning of access to the drug tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) for the management of obesity in primary care settings to eligible patients.
Tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) will not be accessible to everyone who wishes to use it. People with the highest health risks and who meet the clinical criteria will be prioritised.
From 23 June 2025, people who meet the qualifying criteria (a BMI of at least 40 and four of the five stated weight related comorbidities), will be able to gain access to the drug via primary care, if both patient and clinician agree it is the most appropriate treatment option.
In it’s first 3 years, the eligibility criteria for patients have been set as below. Patients who do not meet these criteria are not eligible for tirzepatide (Mounjaro) under this funding variation.
| Funding Variation Year | Expected Duration | Comorbidities | BMI |
| Year 1
(2025/2026) |
12 months | 4 or more qualifying comorbidities from:
Hypertension, dyslipidaemia, obstructive sleep apnoea, cardiovascular disease, type 2 diabetes mellitus |
≥40 |
| Year 2
(2026/2027) |
9 months | ≥4 or more qualifying comorbidities | 35-39 |
| Year 2/3
(2026 and 2027/28) |
15 months | 3 qualifying comorbidities | ≥40 |
All patients started on Tirzepatide in primary care on tirzepatide (Mounjaro) are required to be provided “wraparound care”, which will provide diet and lifestyle intervention to ensure that weight loss is safe and sustainable. Primary Care can access the referral form via TeamNet/EMIS for this service which is currently delivered by the provider of the NDPP (National Diabetes Prevention Programme) and is accessed in the same way.
For those patients who are not yet eligible for tirzepatide but still wish to lose weight, there are some local alternative services available. Local services vary across the county but there are some consistent offers. GP Practices can see the details of these via the TeamNet page on Weight Management which lists available Tier 2 services, or on the NHS Somerset website.
The Specialist Weight Management Service (SWMS) at Somerset Foundation Trust is open to referrals for patients who have complex clinical needs relating to obesity, but they will prioritise those patients with the greatest clinical need due to limited capacity, in line with national guidance. This includes patients with suspected underlying genetic conditions, patients considering bariatric surgery, and patients wishing to lose weight prior to cancer treatment. Further information is available to GPs via TeamNet or on the following link: https://www.somersetft.nhs.uk/endocrinology-hormones/sample-page/weight-management/
For further information please see below links:
NHS England » Medicines for obesity
Focus on: Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) for weight management in General Practice
https://nhssomerset.nhs.uk/prescribing-and-medicines-management/
