Prescribing activity of Tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) for the Obesity Pathway Innovation programme

The Obesity Pathway Innovation Programme (OPIP) supports implementation of National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) technology appraisal TA1026, published on 23 December 2024. The guidance recommends tirzepatide (Mounjaro®), alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, for managing overweight and obesity in adults. Supported by government and Eli Lilly grant funding, OPIP comprises 12 UK-wide projects developing new models of obesity care to improve access and reduce long-term pressure on frontline health services.

The projects will test accessible delivery models, including digital services, apps, 24-hour virtual advice, AI-assisted triage and community neighbourhood hubs. These approaches will help connect people with appropriate lifestyle, behavioural and specialist clinical support, including weight-management medicines such as tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) where clinically appropriate.

During the initial implementation phase of up to three years, OPIP will test innovative approaches designed to improve access for different population groups, including communities underserved by existing services. Evidence from the projects will support evaluation of the effectiveness, accessibility and scalability of each delivery model and inform future NHS obesity pathways, commissioning and programme development.

The purpose of this OPIP reporting request is to ensure that participating sites collect consistent data against agreed criteria to:

• monitor tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) prescribing, patient access and delivery through each site’s approved OPIP model
• provide evidence to evaluate the effectiveness, accessibility and scalability of the innovative delivery models being tested, and to inform future programme development, commissioning and funding decisions

For UK GDPR purposes NHS England’s lawful basis for processing when directed by the Secretary of State is article 6(1)(d) – processing is necessary to protect the vital interests of the data subject or of another natural person.  GDPR – Lawfulness of processing - General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) And The Health and Social Care Act 2012 (HSCA 2012) section 259.

OPIP sites must deliver tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) in line with NICE technology appraisal TA1026. Each site should apply the eligibility and assessment criteria agreed for its approved innovative delivery model, based on the population, pathway and approach set out in its proposal. Prescribing must remain clinically appropriate and consistent with NICE guidance. Sites should clearly define and report their criteria to support comparable data collection and evaluation across the programme.