The National Health Service (NHS) in England is taking a strategic approach to tackling the obesity epidemic by proposing a phased rollout of tirzepatide, a new weight-loss drug showing significant promise. This drug, marketed as Mounjaro and produced by Eli Lilly And Co, has demonstrated remarkable results in clinical trials, surpassing the efficacy of existing therapies like Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic (semaglutide). In the SURMOUNT-4 trial, patients using tirzepatide achieved an average weight loss of 20.9% over 36 weeks.
This phased launch strategy aims to test different medication delivery models before expanding widespread access. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended tirzepatide for patients with obesity, with a maximum list price of 122 pounds ($159.6) per month for the highest dose. The NHS intends to integrate tirzepatide into community-based services and digital health platforms to improve accessibility.
The rollout plan targets up to 240,000 people over the first three years and will involve evaluating cost-effective delivery models, including virtual clinics. Eligibility criteria will be based on BMI and related health conditions. Initially, patients with a BMI above 40 and three or more weight-related conditions, such as hypertension and cardiovascular disease, will be prioritized.
Obesity is a major challenge for the NHS, with annual treatment costs reaching 11.4 billion pounds ($14.91 billion). According to the Health Survey for England 2022, approximately 64% of adults in the country are overweight or obese. The consultation period for the rollout plan is currently open, with final guidance from NICE expected later this year.
It’s worth noting that Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of tirzepatide, recently announced a $4.5 billion investment to create the Lilly Medicine Foundry, a new center for advanced manufacturing and drug development. This move underscores the company’s ambitious goal to become the first pharmaceutical company to reach the $1 trillion market capitalization mark.
The phased rollout of tirzepatide represents a significant step in the NHS’s efforts to address the obesity crisis in the UK. By carefully evaluating delivery models and targeting the most vulnerable patients, the NHS hopes to maximize the benefits of this promising new drug and improve the health outcomes for millions of people.
