Am I eligible for weight loss injections on the NHS?

What are the current NHS criteria for weight loss injections?

In England, two medicines are recommended by NICE for weight management: tirzepatide (Mounjaro) and semaglutide (Wegovy). Each has its own set of thresholds, and both are being made available through the NHS in stages rather than all at once.

For tirzepatide, NICE's appraisal (TA1026) sets the baseline at a BMI of 35 or above, alongside at least one weight-related condition such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidaemia, obstructive sleep apnoea or cardiovascular disease. As of June 2025, NHS England began prescribing to people with a BMI of 40 or above who have four or more of those five qualifying conditions. From June 2026, that opened up to people with a BMI between 35 and 39.9 who also have four or more qualifying conditions. A further expansion to those with a BMI of 40-plus and three qualifying conditions is expected around March 2027.

For semaglutide (Wegovy), NICE's recommendation (TA875) requires a specialist weight management service referral and is currently limited to a two-year maximum course. BMI thresholds are similar, though access depends heavily on local specialist service availability and waiting lists, which in many areas are long.

Across both medicines, BMI thresholds are 2.5 kg/m² lower for people of South Asian, Chinese, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean backgrounds under UK clinical guidance.

Can my GP prescribe these injections, or do I need a referral?

From 1 April 2026, GP practices in England may prescribe tirzepatide under the new GP contract. This is optional for practices, not mandatory, so availability differs considerably depending on your surgery and local integrated care board. Some GPs are prescribing now; others are waiting for additional funding or guidance. It is worth asking your practice directly rather than assuming the door is open or closed.

For Wegovy, access in England has historically required a referral to a specialist weight management service, which adds time. NHS England's guidance on weight management injections explains the wraparound care requirements that come with NHS prescribing, including dietary support and activity guidance that patients must engage with alongside the medicine.

Meeting the clinical criteria on paper does not guarantee an NHS prescription. Capacity, your practice's participation, and local waiting times all play a role. Many people find the timing works against them, a referral that arrives after a job change, a house move, or simply months of waiting. That gap is where a private route becomes relevant.

What if I don't meet the NHS threshold, or don't want to wait?

Private treatment is a completely separate, legal pathway. A GPhC-registered online pharmacy can prescribe tirzepatide or semaglutide to adults who meet the licensed eligibility criteria for private prescriptions: broadly, a BMI of 30 or above, or 27 or above with at least one weight-related condition. These thresholds come from the medicines' licensed indications rather than NHS commissioning rules, so they are wider than the current NHS criteria.

The process still involves a real clinical assessment. At nume, a GPhC-registered Independent Prescriber reviews every consultation personally, you can read more about our clinical team and how we work on our about us page. Identity is verified, weight is confirmed on a live video call, and GP notification follows in line with GPhC guidance. If approved, treatment is dispatched the same day for orders placed before 12pm on a weekday, with free next-working-day DPD delivery.

For a fuller picture of how private and NHS routes compare, our page on weight loss injections on the NHS sets out both options side by side. And if you want to understand more about the full range of options available privately, our weight loss injections overview covers what is currently licensed and dispensed.

Does eligibility differ in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland?

Yes, meaningfully. NHS England's phased rollout described above applies in England only. Scotland operates its own access pathway through NHS Scotland, with different BMI thresholds and clinical criteria; NHS Inform Scotland is the most accurate source for current Scottish eligibility. Wales and Northern Ireland each commission weight management medicines separately, and availability varies by health board. If you live outside England, checking with your GP or the relevant national health service is the most reliable first step rather than applying England's rules to your situation.

Private eligibility through a regulated pharmacy is the same across the UK, the licensed indications do not vary by nation, and nume does not apply different criteria depending on your postcode. A private prescription is assessed on clinical grounds alone. If you are unsure whether you might qualify privately, our guide to eligibility for a weight loss injection on the NHS goes into further detail on the criteria involved, and you can ask any questions through our contact page before starting a consultation. When you are ready, learning about how the weight loss injection works on the NHS and checking your eligibility with our prescribers is free and carries no obligation.