Who can access Mounjaro, Wegovy and Saxenda on the NHS in England. Based on NHS England and NICE guidance — with direct links to official sources.
NICE recommended tirzepatide (Mounjaro) for weight management in December 2024 under Technology Appraisal TA1026. It is licensed for adults living with obesity who also have at least one of the following weight-related health conditions:
Because 3.4 million people in England meet the full NICE criteria, access is being phased in over time, prioritising those with the greatest clinical need. NHS England determines which patients are seen first.
From April 2026, Mounjaro prescribing for obesity is incorporated into the GP contract through the Quality and Outcomes Framework (QOF). However, participation by GP practices is optional. If your practice is participating and you meet the year 1 criteria, you may be contacted directly — you do not need to request it yourself. If your GP practice is not participating, you can ask your ICB what services are available in your area.
Mounjaro must be prescribed alongside a structured support programme (wraparound care), which covers dietary advice and physical activity support. This is a requirement, not optional.
NICE recommended semaglutide (Wegovy) for weight management in March 2023 under Technology Appraisal TA875. Unlike Mounjaro, Wegovy for weight management is only available through specialist weight management services — it cannot currently be prescribed by a GP for this indication.
Ask your GP for a referral to your local specialist (Tier 3) weight management service. Some areas allow self-referral. Waiting times vary considerably between areas. Once referred, the specialist team will assess whether Wegovy is appropriate for you.
In April 2026, NICE recommended Wegovy for a separate indication: reducing the risk of major cardiovascular events in adults with established cardiovascular disease. This is a distinct pathway from the weight management indication above, with different eligibility criteria and no two-year time limit. NHS England estimates around 1.2 million people in England are eligible.
The SELECT trial, which forms the evidence base for this recommendation, enrolled 17,604 adults and found that semaglutide reduced the risk of major cardiovascular events (heart attack, stroke or cardiovascular death) by around 20% compared to placebo. NICE noted that benefits appeared early, before substantial weight loss had occurred.
NICE recommended liraglutide (Saxenda) for weight management in December 2020 under Technology Appraisal TA664. Like Wegovy, it is only available through specialist weight management services. Importantly, NHS availability varies significantly between Integrated Care Boards — many have restricted or declined to commission Saxenda, particularly now that Mounjaro and Wegovy are also available.
All three NHS weight loss injection pathways require patients to engage with a structured support programme alongside their medication. For Mounjaro prescribed through primary care, this is a formal requirement — you cannot be prescribed it without being referred to a wraparound support service. For Wegovy and Saxenda, similar support is provided through the specialist weight management service.
Wraparound care has two components. Clinical support covers medical oversight by your prescriber — regular reviews, dose adjustments, monitoring for side effects, and managing the medication safely. Behavioural support covers structured guidance on diet, nutrition and physical activity, delivered through programmes such as the nationally-commissioned Healthier You: NHS Behavioural Support for Obesity Prescribing service.
If you disengage from the wraparound support programme, your prescription may be discontinued.
Eligibility guidance on this page applies to England only. The other UK nations make their own decisions about which medicines are available on their health services and under what criteria.
Scotland: Mounjaro was approved by the Scottish Medicines Consortium (SMC) for weight management. Access is being phased in based on clinical need, starting with people with a BMI of 38 or above and one related health condition. Saxenda is not recommended for use within NHS Scotland following SMC review.
Wales: Wales follows NICE guidance for Wegovy and has begun implementing access through specialist services. Check with your local health board for current availability.
Northern Ireland: Weight loss injections are not yet available through HSC Northern Ireland, as specialist weight management services are not yet in place, though the first service is planned to open.
NHS eligibility thresholds are stricter than the criteria used for private prescriptions. All three medications are available privately from GPhC-registered UK pharmacies, typically requiring a BMI of 30 or above (or 27 or above with a weight-related condition), following an online clinical consultation — without a GP referral.
Private prescription costs vary between pharmacies, which is what GLP1Compared.co.uk tracks. Most patients currently accessing these medications do so via private prescription, as NHS waiting times and eligibility thresholds mean many people who would benefit cannot yet access them through the NHS.
If you do not yet meet NHS criteria, the NHS also offers other weight management pathways including Tier 1 and Tier 2 community programmes, dietitian referrals, the NHS Digital Weight Management Programme, and orlistat (available on prescription for BMI ≥ 30, or ≥ 28 with a weight-related condition).
If you're accessing treatment privately, use our comparison to find the lowest price across GPhC-registered UK pharmacies.