MPs warn limited NHS access to Mounjaro risks two-tier obesity care

MPs have called for the NHS rollout of Mounjaro to be accelerated, warning that current plans will reach only a small proportion of people who could benefit from the weight-loss treatment.

The Health and Social Care Committee said around 220,000 people are expected to receive the drug during the first three years, despite an estimated 3.4 million being eligible. That represents roughly 6% of potential patients, while many others are paying privately for treatment.

The committee warned that restricted NHS access risks creating a two-tier system in which treatment can depend on someone’s ability to pay. It wants the Government to reassess the pace of the rollout and bring healthcare professionals and providers together to consider how capacity can be increased.

MPs also said obesity should be treated as a long-term condition requiring continuing support. Their recommendations extend beyond medication, including better access to dietary and exercise programmes and a substantial increase in bariatric surgery, recognising that weight-loss injections will not be appropriate for every patient.

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