So now it seems less than half of NHS trusts have even started prescribing Mounjaro?

[winterwonder1]

This is so frustrating - they did all the fanfare, but now they can't work out how to fund it. Meanwhile, patients can't access a treatment, depending on their postcode. Not me - I don't qualify so I'll keep paying, but I know several people who it could really help but who don't have the funds (particularly after the price increases).

Sorry, link here to the story NHS Mounjaro postcode lottery sees thousands missing out | Bradford Telegraph and Argus

There’s a sign up on my GP door saying “we can’t prescribe Mounjaro yet, please don’t make an appointment”.

What’s even worse is so many gp’s are ignorant about the drugs, and actively put people off using them privately. Telling them to use will power. It is a shocking state of affairs. Particularly as people can access bariatric surgery much easier than they can thr drugs.

That's awful. Are they saying that maybe because they don't have access to it yet? Friends who have done the weight management NHS courses said they were given poor advice.

The problem the GPs have is that for them to be able to prescribe Mounjaro, they are also required to put in place a full weight management service, with ongoing regular diet advice, monitoring and physical activity services. A full weight management service in effect. Without having this in place, they are unable to prescribe because that is a requirement under the prescribing rules they are given by NHS England. However, they haven't been given any funding in order to provide these services. They therefore are struggling to be able to offer Mounjaro. Their hands are tied, it's not the fault of the GPs.

WLIs, unfortunately, are not the only medications that fall foul of NHS funding, there are many many more.

I remember an old boss of mine's frustration at being unable to access biologics for her RA via the NHS as being off work in agony for 6 months, not being able to drive etc as her hands were so painful didn't make her eligible yet - the visible state of her inflamed hands was terrible. She was medically discharged from work, her life became very limited by the RA. She was eventually prescribed after years of agony as her RA progressed further. We met up for lunch a few months after she was prescribed and she was a changed woman, and talked about how much they had changed her life.

Poor woman. That's awful.

The roll out is terrible, but typical for the NHS. It’s so disjointed and inefficient, nationwide programs like this should have a dedicated team with regional centres so that everyone can access fairly.

Not the point, but that’s a terrible photo for them to use. The weight on the scales is 5 stone, 35kg. So either that’s a child or someone very thin! Surely they have a stock “fat adult” photo?

I know an entire family on it - all have T2 diabetes. What is frustrating is that there is no diet advice given so all I hear is that they are constantly sick or have upset stomachs. It seems so short sighted.

It’s frustrating if there’s something that works for so many people but administration is letting it down.

That’s the complete opposite of my experience.

i was prescribed by the NHS for T2 diabetes, I was shown how to inject by the Diabetes nurse, given a booklet with all the written instructions and also diet guidance, and offered a place on a nutrition and exercise program. I have had bloods done every 3 months to check HbA1c, liver & kidney function and cholesterol, this is all managed by the Diabetes team for the NHS trust I’m in, they also offer annual foot and eye screening and an annual diabetes review.

while I understand that different trusts operate differently I do wonder how much this family are choosing to take up the services offered to them.

It's a new drug and millions of people are prepared to pay for it. The NHS is failing. You know that. Many many treatments and drugs are going this way. The NHS does not provide a gold standard service. It doesn't prescribe the most effective drugs if they are expensive. It doesn't provide the best treatments. It provides what is affordable within NICE guidelines.
Not weight loss related, but I provide completely different service to my NHS patients than to my private patients.

That’s so interesting to hear and having heard that I do wonder . The mum doesn’t know I take it privately but I do get frustrated with her given what I pay each month ( I don’t have diabetes . I’ve always been onto healthy eating so try and advise without being a total dick 😅

My gp said definitely can’t prescribe it and that it’s only for diabetic patients via their diabetic specialist. Definitely not from GP.

im hoping I can keep paying because so far it’s been life saving

My GP won't prescribe it either. He said it is too expensive and use will power to stop eating so much !!!!