Weight loss injection in primary care-Update

Dear Vanbrugh patients,

You may recently have heard on the news about changes to the availability of the injection used to help support weight loss for patients who most need support or who have other medical conditions.

Below is the information that we have received as a practice and which has been sent to all practices in southeast London.

Currently, we are not able to prescribe the injections ourselves, but patients who do meet the current criteria (BMI above 40 PLUS four or more of the following conditions: diabetes/high blood pressure/heart disease/obstructive sleep apnoea/elevated lipid levels) we can refer you to a specialised service who may be able to prescribe the injection as part a wider treatment plan.

If you think you meet this criterion for referral, please do get in touch for an appointment in practice to discuss with one of the medical team or you can send an online consultation to discuss.

Thank you,

Vanbrugh Group Practice

Information sent to GP Practices:

Prescribing Mounjaro® (tirzepatide) in Primary Care – SE London ICB update

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.

Access to Mounjaro® (tirzepatide) via the NHS is for those at greatest risk of ill health, or who are experiencing severe ill health due to living with obesity.

This means that in order to get weight loss medicines, you must meet certain criteria. You must be overweight with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or more (or 37.5 or more if you’re of South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean origin) and:

· have 4 or more of the following weight related health conditions: high blood pressure, high cholesterol, cardiovascular disease, obstructive sleep apnoea or type 2 diabetes

or

· have at least 1 weight related health condition and you need to lose weight urgently for a specified life limiting reason such as cancer treatment or organ transplant surgery

‘Access’ on 23 June does not mean people will be able to get a prescription for Mounjaro® (tirzepatide) on that day. People living with obesity who meet the criteria will be able to explore with their healthcare professional whether this is the right treatment for them.

A new service is being developed so that eligible patients can access this medication through a dedicated primary care pathway. However, this new service won’t be available by 23 June 2025. We’ll let you know the exact start date as soon as it’s confirmed. Please note that the medication cannot be started through individual GP practices.

In the meantime, if you are eligible for weight loss medications, your GP will be able to refer you to a south east London specialist weight loss service who are able to prescribe the medication for you.