Summary
General practitioners (GPs) in England will receive a bonus to prescribe a specific weight loss drug called Mounjaro. This incentive is part of a government effort to make weight loss treatments more accessible through the National Health Service (NHS). However, experts note that access to these drugs will remain limited.
Key Facts
- GPs in England will get a £3,000 annual bonus for prescribing the weight loss drug Mounjaro.
- An additional £1,000 per year will be given for referring patients to weight loss programs.
- The bonus scheme starts in April and is meant to encourage access to weight loss treatments.
- Only Mounjaro will be included in the incentive plan; another drug, Wegovy, is prescribed by specialist services.
- Over a million people reportedly use weight loss drugs, with many buying them privately.
- Eligibility to get Mounjaro through the NHS is restricted and initially available to those who are severely obese.
- The government's long-term goal is to have 220,000 patients on Mounjaro by 2028.
- Experts argue that more needs to be done to improve general access and address obesity holistically.
