A common point of confusion is that the BMI you need for Mounjaro on the NHS is higher than the level at which it can be prescribed privately. Both are legitimate — they're just different routes with different rules. You can estimate your BMI and category first with our eligibility checker.
NHS criteria (NICE TA1026)
NICE recommends tirzepatide for managing overweight and obesity on the NHS in England for adults with a **BMI of at least 35** plus **at least one weight-related health condition** (such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure or sleep apnoea), alongside a reduced-calorie diet and more physical activity. It's being rolled out in phases, so the exact criteria are tightest at first and widen over time.
- Lower BMI thresholds (reduced by 2.5) apply for people from South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean backgrounds.
- Treatment continues only if at least 5% of starting weight is lost by 6 months on the highest tolerated dose.
- Provided through specialist weight-management services and, increasingly, primary care with wraparound support.
Licensed and private criteria
Mounjaro's marketing authorisation (the licence) is broader than the NHS funding rule. It can be prescribed for weight management at a **BMI of 30 or more**, or **27 or more with a weight-related condition** — which is the threshold most private and online pharmacy services use. This is why our eligibility checker uses 30/27 rather than the NHS's 35.
Cost matters too
Private prescriptions are paid for out of pocket, so cost is part of the decision. Once you know your dose, the cost calculator works out your real price per dose and per month from whatever your pharmacy quotes.