Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask His Majesty's Government what assessment they have made of the potential to commission digital-first healthcare providers to support the tirzepatide (Mounjaro) roll-out in primary care services for (1) patients and (2) primary care providers.

From 23 June, tirzepatide, brand name Mounjaro, started to become available in primary care, in line with the agreed plans for a phased rollout, meaning it can be prescribed in general practices.

NHS England has been working closely with local health systems, including integrated care boards, to design approaches for the safe and effective roll out of tirzepatide in primary care. This includes the use of digital providers, as NHS England recognises that digital first models can offer valuable tools to support patients and clinicians in the safe and effective delivery of care. Some patients have already been referred to receive diet, physical activity, and lifestyle support digitally through NHS England’s interim offer for behavioural support for obesity prescribing.

No full assessment has been made of the role of digital providers in supporting this roll out. To support equitable access and avoid risks of digital exclusion for those with less digital skills, a range of service delivery models are being made available, including face-to-face, remote, and digitally supported care.

There will be a robust evaluation of the initial phased rollout of tirzepatide in primary care, which will consider the use of digital providers. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence will review progress at three years.

The 10-Year Health Plan sets out our ambition to build on these plans by testing innovative models of delivering weight loss services and treatments to patients. We will work closely with industry and local health systems to increase patient access. Full details will be announced in due course.