A diabetes medicine dubbed the "King Kong" of weight loss jabs has been approved in the UK for treating obesity.
Mounjaro, or tirzepatide, makes you feel fuller so you eat less.
Tirzepatide has been approved for use - after fuelling "significant weight loss" in patients elsewhere in the world, according to reports today.
Unlike a similar jab called Wegovy, it is not recommended on the NHS yet. However, the NHS can use it for diabetes.
More than 150k people with Type 1 diabetes will be offered an artificial pancreas on the NHS.
— King's College London (@KingsCollegeLon) November 8, 2023
The device can help people better manage their condition. Diabetes expert Dr Sufyan Hussain @sugarydoc explains why this is a positive step but there is more to be done #KingsQs
As more doses become available, it could help tens of thousands of patients in England, the NHS says.
Mounjaro was authorised for weight management by the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
The regulator approved it for adults with a BMI of over 30.
Julian Beach, of the MHRA, said: “We have prioritised rapid assessment of this new indication for Mounjaro, given the public health importance of access to new medicines to help tackle obesity.
"We have drawn on advice from the independent Commission on Human Medicines in coming to our decision, and as with all products, will keep the safety of Mounjaro under close review."
The drug is the third weight-loss jab to be approved in Britain, after Wegovy and Saxenda
Health Secretary Steve Barclay said: “Mounjaro has the potential to help thousands of people living with obesity and support those suffering from weight-related illnesses — if used alongside diet and physical activity. Tackling obesity could help cut waiting lists and save the NHS billions of pounds.”
Mr Barclay said further approvals were needed before the drug could be covered by the NHS.
When asked when the drug would be available for weight loss in the UK, Lilly - which makes the fat-busting drug - said it would not commit to a launch date in the country just yet.
"Before launching a new treatment Lilly needs to ensure that it can appropriately supply the medicine, considering many factors including expected demand and competitive supply," it said in a statement issued on Thursday after the approval was confirmed.
A spokesperson for NHS England said the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence, or NICE, would have to assess the treatment.
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