A cross-party group of British lawmakers has called for substantially broader NHS access to Mounjaro, a weight-loss injection, arguing that current provision plans are inadequate to address growing demand.
The Health Committee characterized the existing rollout target of 220,000 people receiving the medication free on prescription in 2028 as insufficiently ambitious. This figure represents approximately 6% of those considered eligible for treatment. The limited NHS availability has contributed to more than a million people obtaining weight-loss injections through private channels, including both Mounjaro and an alternative medication, Wegovy, creating what lawmakers describe as a two-tier system accessible primarily to wealthier individuals.
Costs present a significant barrier to expanded provision. The NHS estimates that treating all 2.8 million eligible individuals immediately would require £15.2 billion over five years. The health service is currently undertaking a 12-year rollout process, though this schedule is under review. A substantial portion of expenses stems from the NHS relying on general practitioners to manage prescriptions and patient monitoring.
The committee recommended that the NHS adopt approaches used by private providers, particularly digital platforms that can handle certain oversight functions without requiring in-person GP visits. MPs argued that streamlining patient support systems could reduce overall costs while simultaneously making financial sense given that obesity imposes approximately £75 billion annually in economic costs. Lawmakers also criticized the broader weight management infrastructure as inadequately designed and resourced, calling for enhanced access to dietary and lifestyle programs alongside bariatric surgery options.
Additionally, the committee raised concerns about unlicensed weight-loss drugs circulating on the black market, attributing increased illegal sales partly to limited NHS availability. They requested a public awareness campaign detailing health risks associated with unauthorized products and a regulatory review targeting online advertising practices. NHS England responded that it was exploring ways to accelerate drug distribution while currently maintaining focus on patients with severe, complex obesity-related conditions.
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