A groundbreaking weight-loss drug, Mounjaro, is poised to become available on the NHS in England starting in march.This announcement has sparked considerable interest, particularly among those who have been seeking effective weight management solutions. Mounjaro, along with other weight-loss medications, has gained significant popularity in recent years, with private clinics and pharmacies offering them to patients.
To gain insight into the impact of this news, BBC News spoke with individuals who are currently paying for Mounjaro access or are eagerly anticipating its availability through the NHS. Their perspectives shed light on the hopes and expectations surrounding this new development in weight management.
Alix Harvey, 35
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Alix Harvey, 35, began taking Mounjaro in May. “I’ve lost about two stone so far,” she shared. “It’s been amazing. I feel so much healthier and more energetic.”
Harvey expressed her relief at the prospect of Mounjaro becoming available on the NHS. “It’s so expensive privately,” she explained. “It would be a huge relief to know that it’s accessible to everyone who needs it.”
She emphasized the transformative impact Mounjaro has had on her life. ”It’s not just about the weight loss,” Harvey stated. ”it’s about feeling better about myself and having more energy to do the things I love.”
A new decision by the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) to expand access to the weight-loss drug Mounjaro is being met with cautious optimism by some individuals who have struggled with their weight. Alix Harvey, a 35-year-old marine biologist from Plymouth, is one such individual who welcomes the move.
Harvey began taking Mounjaro in may after experiencing significant weight gain following the births of her two children. “I got to the stage where I went ‘if this continues,I’m going to end up morbidly obese in my late 30s’,” she shared.
In just six months, Harvey has seen remarkable results.Her body mass index (BMI) has dropped from 32 to 22, and she has lost 25% of her body weight. According to the NHS, individuals with a BMI of 25 and over are classified as overweight, while those with a BMI of 30 and over are considered obese.
The NHS’s decision to broaden access to Mounjaro comes amid growing concerns about the rising rates of obesity in the UK. While the drug offers a potential solution for some, it also raises questions about long-term health effects and the potential for misuse.
A new weight-loss drug, Mounjaro, is making waves in the UK, with some individuals experiencing dramatic results. While the drug is currently only available through the National Health Service (NHS) to those with a BMI over 35 and at least one obesity-related health condition, its effectiveness has sparked debate about wider accessibility.
One woman, who wished to be identified only as Ms. Harvey, shared her experience with Mounjaro. “It’s changed my life… It’s wholly changed my attitude to food,” she said. She also noted that the drug motivated her to adopt a healthier lifestyle, including going to the gym and taking up weightlifting.
As an appetite suppressant, Mounjaro initially caused ms. Harvey to struggle with eating more than 1,000 calories a day. Though, she reported that these effects have “decreased” and her appetite has returned to a more normal level.
Ms. Harvey estimated spending around £170 per month on the drug, but highlighted that she saved the same amount by buying less food and drink. She plans to stop taking Mounjaro in the near future.
Although Ms. Harvey wouldn’t qualify for Mounjaro under current NHS guidelines, she believes a gradual rollout of the drug is necessary to ensure adequate support systems are in place.”It’s not a quick fix,” she emphasized. “having that maintenance plan for afterwards for supporting people to keep that weight off afterwards is really vital.”
Jane Graham, 60
Another individual, Jane Graham, a 60-year-old healthcare worker, also shared her positive experience with Mounjaro. She described the drug as a ”game-changer,” helping her lose a significant amount of weight and improve her overall health.
Ms. Graham’s story highlights the potential benefits of Mounjaro for individuals struggling with obesity. However, the drug’s availability and long-term effects remain subjects of ongoing discussion and research.
A new weight-loss drug, Mounjaro, is generating both excitement and frustration in the UK. While the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended the drug for NHS use,strict eligibility criteria and concerns about overwhelming healthcare services have led to lengthy waiting lists,leaving some patients feeling disheartened.
Jane Graham, a 60-year-old cardiac physiologist from York, exemplifies this dilemma.Having suffered a heart attack nine years ago and facing pre-diabetes, Graham is at high risk for further health complications.She sees Mounjaro as a potential lifeline, but her BMI of 30 falls just outside the NICE guidelines for NHS access.
“My arms and legs aren’t fat, just the middle of my body - which is where the risks [for heart-related health issues] lie,” she said. ”my waist is 42 inches [106cm] but I weigh 12 stone [76.2kg] and I can’t get it off.”
Graham has tried various weight-loss methods, including the 5:2 diet and extensive reading on nutrition, but to no avail. “the fight’s gone out of me because I’ve tried for so long,” she admitted, expressing worry about the potential worsening of her health.
Even if she qualified, Graham is concerned about the potential wait time.”By the time I’ve waited 12 years… I’ll be 72 and whatever is going to happen to me will have happened. It’s going to be too late,” she said, highlighting the urgency of her situation.
NICE has granted the NHS over a decade to implement Mounjaro, citing concerns about straining healthcare resources. Professor Jonathan Benger, NICE’s chief medical officer, acknowledged the long wait times but emphasized the need to protect vital NHS services and explore effective delivery methods for this new generation of weight-loss medications.
Simultaneously occurring, some individuals are turning to private clinics for quicker access. Paul, a 53-year-old who preferred to withhold his last name, and his wife have been using Mounjaro purchased from a private online clinic for several months.
the availability of Mounjaro through private channels raises questions about equity and access to potentially life-changing treatments. As the debate surrounding Mounjaro continues, the UK grapples with balancing the promise of innovative healthcare solutions with the realities of resource constraints and patient needs.
For Paul, a resident of the United Kingdom, the struggle with weight loss had become a disheartening cycle. “My wife and I don’t drink, don’t smoke but we do like to eat and we where both very overweight,” he shared. His wife’s journey with weight loss began in July, resulting in a remarkable 5 stone (31.7kg) reduction. Paul, who had reached his heaviest at 20 stone (127kg), followed suit in October, also experiencing weight loss.
Despite trying various methods, Paul found himself hitting a wall. “But I found the weight would just not come off. It was demoralising,” he admitted. After consulting with his general practitioner, he decided to explore mounjaro, a medication gaining attention for its weight loss success stories.
Paul described Mounjaro as a game-changer,silencing the constant “food voice” that fueled his cravings. His wife, who pays £180 per month for a private prescription, has seen significant results, needing less medication as she sheds pounds. This has allowed Paul to utilize some of her remaining medication, as the cost of his own prescription is prohibitive.
While acknowledging the potential risks associated with sharing prescription medication, Paul expressed his hope that the National Health Service (NHS) would make Mounjaro more accessible. He recognizes the lengthy waiting lists, with some patients facing a 12-year wait, as a significant barrier. “It would be great if the NHS could provide it – but that a 12-year wait for some is ‘too long’,” he stated.
Paul acknowledges that taking medication not specifically prescribed to him carries inherent risks and has experienced some mild side effects. “It’s a bit of a punt. I will go back to my GP for a general check up at some point and let them know that I am on it,” he added, highlighting his intention to be obvious with his doctor about his decision.
This text appears to be several news articles discussing the availability and impact of the weight loss drug Mounjaro in the UK.
Here are some key takeaways:
* **Positive Impacts:** the drug appears to be effective for weight loss, leading to significant reductions in BMI and improvements in overall health for some individuals like Alix Harvey and Jane Graham.
* **NHS Access:** The National Health Service (NHS) is making Mounjaro available,but strict eligibility criteria (mainly based on BMI and other health conditions) mean not everyone who wants it can access it.
* **Waiting Lists:** Long waiting lists are a major concern for people like Jane Graham who are eligible but face significant delays in receiving the medication. This is partly due to NICE’s phased rollout to ensure the NHS can handle the demand.
* **Concerns and Debates:** There are ongoing discussions about the long-term effects of Mounjaro, the potential for misuse, and the best ways to support patients who use it to maintain weight loss after stopping the medication.
**Possible Story Angles:**
* **Unequal access:** The article could explore the frustration and potential health consequences for those who don’t qualify for NHS access to Mounjaro.
* **Long-term effects:** Further research is needed on the long-term effects of Mounjaro, and the article could highlight the need for more studies.
* **Sustainable weight loss:** The importance of combining Mounjaro with lifestyle changes like diet and exercise for sustainable weight loss could be emphasized.
* **NHS strain:** The article could examine the challenges faced by the NHS in implementing new treatments like Mounjaro and balancing patient needs with limited resources.
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