How to get weight loss medication through the NHS England

Weight loss medications can be a valuable tool in achieving your health goals. But, accessing them can be confusing.

In the UK, options vary depending on whether you go through the NHS or a private programme, each with its own eligibility criteria. Here’s a breakdown of what you need to know to find the right pathway for you.

Can you access Mounjaro via the NHS?

‍Mounjaro, a new weight loss and type 2 diabetes treatment, was first launched in the UK in February 2024 for private patients. In December 2024, NICE approved Mounjaro for use within the NHS in England. Access is being introduced gradually, starting with patients at highest risk.

Who is eligible for Mounjaro via NHS GPs?

From 23 June 2025, patients in England can access Mounjaro through their GP if they meet strict eligibility criteria:

Year 1

• BMI ≥ 40 (or ≥ 37.5 for some ethnic groups)
• 4 or more weight-related comorbidities (e.g. type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, sleep apnoea)‍

‍Year 2

• BMI 35 to 39.9
• Still require 4 or more co-morbidities‍

‍‍Year 3

• BMI ≥ 40
• 3 or more co-morbidities

This staged approach will reach 220,000 patients across the first three years. A full rollout is planned over 8 further years, eventually covering patients with BMI ≥ 35 and at least one comorbidity.

How do you get Mounjaro from your NHS GP?

GP practices will use NHS-approved tools to identify eligible patients. Those patients will:

• Be clinically assessed for suitability
• Be asked to join a structured weight management programme
• Be supported with diet, exercise, and behavioural advice
• Be prescribed Mounjaro by a GP or designated NHS prescriber
• Collect their prescription from a local pharmacy.

What support do NHS patients receive?

All NHS patients prescribed Mounjaro must also receive wraparound support, including:

• Dietitian or nutrition advice,
• Behavioural and psychological support,
• Physical activity guidance.

These services may be delivered by GP teams, Primary Care Networks (PCNs), or community providers.

Can you get Mounjaro on the NHS in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland?

No. Currently, the NHS Mounjaro rollout applies to England only. Patients in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland are not yet eligible through the NHS.

Can you access Wegovy on the NHS?

Yes! Wegovy is available on the NHS England — alongside Mounjaro and Saxenda, which has the active ingredient liraglutide.

According to the NHS England, you'll be eligible for semaglutide/Wegovy is you have a BMI of either:

• 35 or more, or 32.5 or more if you're of Asian, Chinese, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean origin
• 30 to 34.9, or 27.5 to 32.4 if you're of Asian, Chinese, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean origin, and you meet other criteria to be treated by a specialist weight management service [6].

Wegovy can also be obtained, with a prescription, at select high street chemists in person or via online consultations. But, meeting the criteria for a prescription for Wegovy through the NHS England may differ from that of getting a private prescription.

To access weight loss injections like Wegovy through the NHS England, you will need a referral to an NHS specialist weight management service and complete the wait times to see if you are eligible.

How can I access Wegovy or Mounjaro if I don’t meet NHS criteria?

If you don’t meet the strict NHS criteria, you may still be eligible for Wegovy or Mounjaro through Juniper.

At Juniper, you can access weight loss medication if you have:

• A BMI of 30 or higher, or
• A BMI of 27 or higher with at least one weight-related condition, such as high blood pressure, PCOS or acid reflux.

That means millions of people who aren't eligible through the NHS can still begin treatment with Juniper, without waiting years for the NHS rollout to expand.

The Juniper Programme provides a holistic approach by pairing medically backed treatments with habits that create lasting change. Research shows that without sufficient lifestyle change, some people gain back the weight after they stop taking weight loss medications [7].

Why choose Juniper?

With Juniper, members get unlimited support and can talk to their prescriber whenever they need help staying on track. We also provide the same wraparound support required by the NHS, including tailored diet, exercise and health tracking.

With the Juniper Programme, you can access weight loss medication tailored to your health and goals — never one-size-fits-all. Our app helps you track progress, connect with your care team, adjust medication as needed, and access expert support. You'll also get structured tools to build lasting habits and ongoing care.

We help you make lifestyle and habit changes, and we’re in it with you for the long run, having helped thousands of women achieve their weight loss goals.

There’s no long waitlist. No GP referrals. Just fast, expert help when you’re ready.

Wegovy vs Mounjaro

Both Wegovy and Mounjaro are considered the gold standard when it comes to aiding weight loss efforts. Thus far, the two medications haven't been directly compared to each other in medical trials.

It's long been thought that Mounjaro leads to more significant weight loss outcomes than Wegovy but with recent research, that is changing.

In clinical trials, patients on the highest possible dose of Wegovy lost up to 20.7% of their body weight, compared to 20.9% with Mounjaro at its highest dose — showing that both can be highly effective when used consistently and with the right support [8][9]. With Juniper, Wegovy is delivered as part of a complete programme that includes expert care, coaching, and tracking tools — to help you get the most from your treatment.

This higher dose of Wegovy isn’t available just yet, but it’s expected to launch in the UK soon.

Cost

From 1 September 2025, Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of Mounjaro (tirzepatide), will increase its UK list price to align with other developed countries. This nationwide change applies to providers including pharmacies, private clinics, and digital platforms.

In response, we’ve lowered the price of our Wegovy programme by 25%, and we’re making it easier for patients to switch without starting over, so that effective treatment remains within reach for as many people as possible.

So, if you're thinking of starting your medical weight loss journey, or wanting to switch from Mounjaro to Wegovy, the good news is that both are straightforward with Juniper.

For those making the switch, Juniper patients don’t need to restart at the lowest dose. If clinically appropriate, they can continue at a higher dose aligned with recent treatment history. We also only require a 7-day gap between your last Mounjaro dose and your first Wegovy dose — unlike most providers, who require 28 days.

At Juniper, we make that switch seamless and fully supported — so you can protect your progress without paying more than you need to. Our clinical switching protocol is is simple and safe:

• ‍Review — Your clinician assesses your treatment history and dose tolerance.‍
• Match — If eligible, you start on an equivalent high dose to avoid losing progress.‍
• Transition — Only a 7-day window is required between your last Mounjaro dose and your first Wegovy dose (most providers require 28 days).‍
• Support — Pharmacist check-ins, dose adjustments, and lifestyle guidance keep you on track.

Start your Wegovy switch today →

For those starting, simply take our quiz to see if the Juniper Programme is right for you.