The UK National Health Service (NHS) launched a consultation on a phased rollout of Eli Lilly’s obesity drug Mounjaro® (tirzepatide), prioritising patients who are most likely to benefit from weight loss. In a proposal made to National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (Nice), published online on 3 October 2024, a range of new community-based and digital services to administer the injection are being developed, aiming to reach nearly 250,000 people within the first three years. The rollout will be evaluated for cost-effectiveness, with plans to expand over nine years.
NICE is a public body in the UK responsible for providing national guidance and advice to improve health and social care. Established in 1999, NICE evaluates the effectiveness, safety, and cost-efficiency of health interventions, treatments, and care practices for use in the NHS and other public healthcare systems in England and Wales.
Tirzepatide has been said to be more effective than Novo Nordisk’s semaglutide (Ozempic®/Wegovy®) in significantly reducing body weight in clinical trials. Until now, Wegovy® has been the only drug authorised for NHS use by NICE in weight management.