NICE RECOMMENDS LILLY’S TIRZEPATIDE (MOUNJARO ®▼) FOR MANAGING OVERWEIGHT AND OBESITY IN FINAL DRAFT GUIDANCE
Natalia Elliot | December 10, 2024 | News story | | Mounjaro, NICE, lilly, weight-loss
BASINGSTOKE, 5th December 2024 – Eli Lilly and Company announced today that the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has published final draft guidance recommending tirzepatide as an option for managing overweight and obesity, alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity, in adults with an initial Body Mass Index (BMI) of at least 35 kg/m2, and at least one weight-related comorbidity. Lower BMI thresholds can be used for people from South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African or African-Caribbean ethnic backgrounds. If less than 5% of the initial weight has been lost after 6 months on the highest tolerated dose, the prescriber should decide whether to continue treatment, taking into account the benefits and risks of treatment for the person.
The final guidance is expected to be published on 23rd December 2024 after a period for stakeholders to appeal and to highlight factual inaccuracies.
NHS England requested a funding variation to extend the time needed to comply with NICE’s recommendations. NICE has made amendments and clarifications to NHS England’s implementation proposals, including that the funding variation must ensure tirzepatide is delivered to the estimated full eligible population of 3.4 million people within 12 years. NICE also recommends an initial implementation period of up to 3 years where it is expected that at least 220,000 people will be eligible for tirzepatide. NICE will conduct a formal review of evidence generated during the initial implementation period which could shorten the total guidance implementation timeframe of 12 years. NICE recommends mandated funding of tirzepatide within 3 months from final guidance publication for patients accessing specialist weight management services, and within 6 months of final guidance publication for a phased introduction of delivery to other eligible cohorts.
“Obesity is a public health epidemic and is a causal factor of many major chronic health conditions,” said Fernando Campo, Vice President and Head of Diabetes and Obesity, Lilly Northern Europe. “We welcome the recommendation from NICE to make tirzepatide available to the estimated eligible population of 3.4 million people, and we understand that this will require a phased rollout. However the recommended timeline still means that fewer than one in 10 of these eligible patients will be able to access treatment within the first three years. We look forward to working with NHS England to ensure we can best meet the current unmet need of people living with obesity and deliver on the Government’s obesity goals.”
Tirzepatide is a once-weekly GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) receptor and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonist and has previously received a NICE recommendation for the treatment of adults with insufficiently controlled type 2 diabetes as an adjunct to diet and exercise. The most common side effects of tirzepatide are nausea, diarrhoea, vomiting and constipation. Women with obesity or overweight using oral contraceptives should consider also using a barrier method of contraception (e.g., a condom) or switching to a non-oral contraceptive method for 4 weeks after starting tirzepatide and for 4 weeks after each increase in dose.
About Lilly: Lilly is a medicine company turning science into therapies to make life better for people around the world. We’ve been pioneering life-changing discoveries for nearly 150 years, and today our medicines help more than 51 million people across the globe. Harnessing the power of biotechnology, chemistry and genetic medicine, our scientists are advancing new discoveries to address some of the world’s most significant health challenges: redefining diabetes and obesity care; advancing the fight against Alzheimer’s disease; providing options for debilitating immune system disorders; and transforming the management of difficult-to-treat cancers. With each step toward a healthier world, we’re motivated by one thing: making life better for millions more people. That includes delivering innovative clinical trials that reflect the diversity of our world and working to ensure our medicines are accessible and affordable. Visit: https://www.lilly.com/uk/
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