Obesity: Drugs

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended a number of weight-loss medicines for use on the National Health Service, which the NHS is now required to fund for eligible patients in line with NICE’s recommendations, including for women with polycystic ovary syndrome and fertility problems.

The product information for weight loss medicines state that all individuals of child-bearing potential, who are able to become pregnant, using GLP-1 medications should take steps to ensure they do not become pregnant. GLP-1 medicines should not be taken during pregnancy or just before trying to get pregnant.

The NHS is currently rolling out tirzepatide for obesity in primary care, using a phased approach based on clinical need to manage NHS resources. Around 220,000 individuals are expected to be eligible over the next three years. NHS England worked with clinical experts, integrated care boards, patient and public representatives, healthcare professionals, charities and royal colleges on its prioritisation approach, which it set out in its interim commissioning guidance, available at the following link:

https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/interim-commissioning-guidance-implementation-of-the-nice-technology-appraisal-ta1026-and-the-nice-funding-variation-for-tirzepatide-mounjaro-for-the-management-of-obesity/

At the current time, patients will be eligible for treatment in primary care if they have a body mass index of at least forty, and four or more out of five ‘qualifying' conditions. The qualifying conditions are cardiovascular disease, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, obstructive sleep apnoea, and type 2 diabetes mellitus.