NHS Mounjaro Guide 2026: Eligibility, Criteria and Free Checker
If you are exploring what Mounjaro is and whether the NHS will prescribe it, this guide sets out the official 2026 eligibility criteria, gives you a free checker based on those rules, and compares the Mounjaro and Wegovy NHS pathways side by side.
NHS Mounjaro Eligibility Checker 2026
The checker is completely free. Answer four quick questions for an instant assessment based directly on the official 2026 NHS Mounjaro eligibility guidelines. Nothing you enter is stored or sent anywhere; it is calculated in your browser.
Not sure where your BMI sits? See our guide to BMI requirements for Mounjaro.
Mounjaro vs Wegovy on the NHS
The two medicines sit on different NHS pathways with different thresholds. This is the practical difference in 2026.
| Clinical factor | Mounjaro (tirzepatide) | Wegovy (semaglutide) |
|---|---|---|
| Current access route | Primary care (GP) or specialist | Tier 3 specialist weight management |
| Standard BMI threshold | 40 or above | 35 or above |
| Adjusted ethnicity BMI | 37.5 or above | 32.5 or above |
| Comorbidities required | 4 out of 5 specific conditions | At least 1 weight-related condition |
Official NHS Mounjaro Eligibility Criteria 2026
Cohort 1 pathway requirements
- 1Patient is aged 18 or over.
- 2BMI of 40 kg/m² or above (or 37.5 kg/m² or above for South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean backgrounds).
- 3Diagnosed with at least 4 out of the following 5 conditions: type 2 diabetes, hypertension, dyslipidaemia, cardiovascular disease, obstructive sleep apnoea.4 out of the following 5 conditions
- 4Treatment must be actively supported by a reduced-calorie diet, increased physical activity, and formal behavioural support.
How the NHS Mounjaro Prescription Process Works
- 01Consult your GP.
Discuss your weight, lifestyle and any related health conditions. Your GP will officially calculate your BMI and review your medical history against the NHS Mounjaro eligibility rules.
- 02Specialist service referral.
Depending on your region, you may need a formal assessment by a Tier 3 weight management service before an NHS prescription can be issued.
- 03Commence treatment.
If approved, you receive weekly Mounjaro injections alongside ongoing lifestyle support including diet and exercise coaching.
- 04Clinical reviews.
After an initial 6 months your progress is reviewed. NHS treatment continues only if you have lost at least 5 percent of your starting weight.
Do Not Meet the NHS Criteria?
Private Mounjaro and Wegovy prescriptions have much lower clinical thresholds: typically BMI 30 or above, or BMI 27 or above with a weight-related condition. Many providers hide delivery fees until checkout, so Monj tracks the genuinely lowest total prices, delivery included, ranked strictly by lowest patient price with no paid placement.
Compare private Mounjaro pricesOfficial NHS and NICE Resources
This guide is completely free to use and always will be.
If it has helped you understand your options, please consider a small donation to EveryDoctor to support frontline medical staff.
NHS Mounjaro FAQs
Can my GP prescribe Mounjaro directly?
Yes, in many regions. It depends on whether your local Integrated Care Board (ICB) has enabled primary care prescribing for Cohort 1 patients. In some areas your GP may still need to route your application through a formal referral to an NHS Tier 3 specialist weight management service first.
What if I do not meet the strict NHS criteria?
You may still be referred to a specialist weight management service to evaluate your eligibility for Wegovy. Future treatment phases (such as Cohort 2) are also expected to open around June 2026, introducing slightly lower BMI thresholds for patients who meet the necessary comorbidity requirements.
Is Mounjaro only for people with diabetes?
No. Tirzepatide was initially developed for diabetes but has since been fully approved by NICE for weight management. In the NHS rollout, type 2 diabetes is merely one of five possible qualifying conditions. You do not need diabetes to be eligible; you need any four of the five specified conditions.
Do I still need to diet and exercise?
Yes, lifestyle changes are essential. Clinical data consistently shows Mounjaro works best alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased activity, and the NHS explicitly requires participation in lifestyle and behavioural support as a condition of receiving and continuing the prescription.
NICE Ethnicity Guidance
Clinical evidence shows that people from South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean backgrounds face increased health risks at lower body weights.
Because of this, the NHS uses an adjusted, lower BMI threshold (reduced by 2.5 points) for these groups when assessing eligibility.
