Hi, I’m Irish too, originally from the west coast, but I’ve been living in the UK for 30 years now.
Most people in the UK paying privately for a regular supply of Mounjaro (tirzepatide) on private prescription are looking at roughly £150-200 per month for the lower dose 2.5mg, while higher doses (such as 15mg) often cost £250-300 or more, depending on the provider and any recent price adjustments. It’s definitely not cheap.
That said, many Integrated Care Boards (ICBs, our equivalent of health boards) are now funding Mounjaro injections for free on the NHS if you meet specific strict criteria. This is usually for those with the highest clinical need, such as a BMI of 40+ plus four or more qualifying weight-related conditions (like type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, obstructive sleep apnoea, or cardiovascular disease). Access is being rolled out in phases, starting with specialist services and gradually to some primary care settings like GPs , but it’s limited to avoid overwhelming the system.
The NHS simply couldn’t fund it for everyone with a BMI over 40, it would be unaffordable. Estimates suggest that widespread access could cost billions annually (some reports put potential costs in the region of £5–10 billion a year if rolled out broadly), which would strain the service massively.
Unlike in Ireland, we don’t get tax credits or relief specifically for these private injections here. However, the NHS provides most healthcare free at the point of use for UK residents so no need for private insurance like VHI for standard care (though some people have it for extras). So for those who qualify, it’s fully covered without out-of-pocket costs.
The GP where my family live on the west coast of Ireland charges silly money to visit them, so I’m grateful more and more for the NHS