What is a weight loss prescription?
In the UK, certain weight loss medications are available via prescription, primarily through specialist weight management services or, in some cases, by GPs, and are often part of a wider weight management program. These medications are not a standalone solution but are intended to be used alongside diet and exercise changes.
Medications Available on the NHS:
Tirzepatide (Mounjaro):
Mounjaro is also available through specialist weight management services and is being rolled out gradually, starting with individuals with higher BMIs and certain weight-related health conditions.
Semaglutide (Wegovy):
This injectable medication is available through specialist weight management services and is prescribed for individuals with a BMI of 35 or more (or 30-34.9 with weight-related health conditions) and who have not achieved sufficient weight loss through lifestyle changes.
Liraglutide (Saxenda):
Similar to Wegovy, Saxenda is prescribed by specialist weight management services.
Orlistat:
Orlistat is available as a prescription-only tablet and can be prescribed by GPs.
James Smith – Fitness Influencer
James Smith is a personal trainer and social media influencer best known for posting fitness advice videos across various platforms. He has a following of 1.7 million users on TikTok and one million on Instagram. He is also brutally honest and shares similar values and beliefs as we do at Be Strong.
James has struggled with body image issues and is the author of three books. His first book, Not a Diet Book, became a best-seller, reaching first place in the Amazon, Audible and Apple eBook charts.
James’ view on weight loss medication…
Rick & Rachel’s Opinion..
We have been supporting people to improve their lifestyles at Be Strong since 2015. Thousands of people have been through the program, and many have enjoyed success. However, the stark reality is, a massive percentage of those thousands of people fail, and experience feelings of frustration, discouragement, disappointment and low self-esteem.
Trust us when we say this. It breaks our heart when someone walks away from Be Strong, because they simply cannot adhere to the process they’re desperately trying to follow. Most have spent many years trying to achieve a healthy weight, and resign themselves to the thought, that a healthy weight is simply unachievable for them.
The main reason for most, is that their relationship with food has developed to a state where they cannot break the cycle that they find themselves in. It is very much like a typical addiction.
Addiction is a chronic, relapsing brain disease characterised by compulsive engagement in rewarding stimuli or behaviours, despite negative consequences. It involves a loss of control over a substance or certain behaviours, even when those behaviours are harmful. While often associated with drugs, alcohol, or gambling, addiction can extend to mainstream food and drink.
Our Initial Thoughts on Weight Loss Prescriptions
We have always believed that the Be Strong process of moving more, better nutrition, increased knowledge and awareness, alongside habit transformation is the best process to follow for success.
In addition, people were buying weight loss products from the dark web, or from beauty salons and hairdressers.
In our view this was another example of people taking advantage of others, to financially exploit them because of their vulnerability. As you can imagine, we were totally against it and advised people to steer clear of such dangerous practices.
Things moved quickly..
In the UK, NICE had been conducting trials on various weight loss medications.
In the UK, NICE stands for the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence. It’s an independent organisation that provides national guidance and advice to improve health and social care.
What NICE Does for Medicines:
Evaluates Medicines:
- NICE assesses the clinical effectiveness (how well it works), cost-effectiveness (value for money), and overall benefits vs risks of medicines.
- It uses a method called health technology assessment (HTA).
- Approves or Rejects Medicines for NHS Use:
- After evaluation, NICE makes recommendations about whether the NHS should fund a medicine.
- If NICE recommends a drug, it usually becomes available on the NHS across England (and often Wales and Northern Ireland too).
Publishes Guidelines:
- NICE produces clinical guidelines that recommend how specific diseases should be treated, including what medicines should be used.
- These guidelines are used by doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and healthcare providers across the UK.
Ensures Consistency:
- NICE helps ensure that patients across the UK have equal access to the best possible treatments, no matter where they live.
- Encourages Innovation (when cost-effective):
- It supports the adoption of innovative treatments, especially if they can demonstrate value for the NHS.
Example:
If a new cancer drug is developed, NICE will assess:
- How much longer and better it helps people live.
- The side effects.
- How much it costs the NHS.
- Whether it’s better than current treatments.
If the drug meets NICE’s criteria, it will be recommended for use. If not, the NHS might not cover it.
NICE & Mounjaro
In December 2024, NICE issued its final guidance recommending tirzepatide (branded as Mounjaro) for weight management in adults with:
- BMI of 35+ and at least 1 weight‑related condition
- Or lower BMI thresholds for certain ethnic groups (e.g., South Asian)
- This treatment must be paired with a reduced-calorie diet, increased physical activity, and appropriate behavioural support.
Phased rollout on the NHS
Within 90 days of guidance (by around late March 2025):
- Patients already in specialist weight management services and meeting criteria begin treatment
Within 180 days (by around June 23, 2025):
- High-priority patients (e.g., BMI ≥ 40 with ≥ 4 comorbidities) become eligible in primary care
Over 3 years (~220,000 people):
- Broader eligible population accessed by around December 2027
Up to 12 years:
- Full rollout to all ~3.4 million potentially eligible adults
Mounjaro Availability on Private Prescription
Mounjaro is available now via private UK prescription, typically costing £120-£250/month, with eligibility based on BMI and health conditions. The providers are regulated (GPhC/MHRA-approved), you complete a consultation, are monitored, and your GP is kept informed.
What Does Mounjaro Do?
- Reduces appetite – Signals to the brain to reduce hunger and food cravings.
- Slows gastric emptying – You feel fuller longer, eat less.
- Increases insulin secretion – Only when blood sugar is high (prevents hypoglycemia).
- Suppresses glucagon – Helps reduce sugar released by the liver.
- Improves fat metabolism – May increase fat oxidation and reduce fat storage.
Rick’s Mounjaro Trial
Be Strong co-founder, Rick Wilson, was overweight for 25 years of his adult life, weighing in at a high of 25st 7lbs. He has been attempting, and failing, at weight loss programs, at least twice a year throughout that 25 year period.
In 2013, all that changed when he started to move more by completing a Couch to 5K program, and achieving a daily calorie deficit. By 2015 he was a healthy 14st 3lbs, and the Couch to 5K runs became full marathons.
Wedded Bliss & the Food Noise Environment
Rick maintained that healthy weight until 2020, when he encountered an entirely new routine. He bought a house with Lorraine, and they moved in together, getting married soon after.
All of a sudden, there were different food types in the kitchen, things like bread, cheese, cereal, crisps and biscuits. Rick had abstained from these since 2015, as a component of his maintenance plan. However, the temptation became too much, they crept back in and he started to gradually gain weight.
Aware of this, Rick put a plan in place to reverse the weight gain and it failed. As did the next, and the next and the next. No matter what, he simply could not manage to adhere to a calorie deficit whilst living in his new environment.
Trials
Rick & Rachel had been well aware of the various weight loss medication trials, and they were particularly interested in the Mounjaro trials, purely because of how effective it had been with participants. However, they agreed they would make a final decision on whether Be Strong would support people using them, once the NICE evaluation had been completed.
In addition, Rick was aware of a group of six people that had been using Mounjaro. He also knew they had been fighting their own weight loss battles for a number of years, without making any tangible progress. The new results were nothing short of phenomenal, with each and every one of them, visually displaying all the physical, and mental, signs of successful, ‘at goal’, lifestyle transformations.
This was enough to make anyone sit up and take notice.
Major Decision
Rick’s own virtuous circle of attempting to restart, and failing, had been going on for five years, until May 2025, when he stood on the scales and learned that he weighed 17st 9.5lbs – he had gained a total 3st 6.5lbs. This was from a man who had achieved incredible success, losing over 12st in weight and running six full marathons. He described the ‘food noise’ as overwhelming, and despite knowing the negative consequences, he could not control it.
So, in May 2025, hot on the heels of the NICE approval in March, he agreed with Rachel (and Lorraine) that he would trial Mounjaro, on prescription, from a reputable online pharmacy. This would be alongside a lifestyle program, that he would devise himself.
The Prescription Process
After much research, ASDA Online Pharmacy was chosen, mainly due to its competitive pricing, reputation, ease of application and a user friendly website.
There were a number of health questions to answer, full GP details needed to be shared, along with a photo of your weight on the scales, a full length full frontal photo in tightly fitted sports clothing, and a full length sideways facing photo, again in tightly fitted sports clothing. For all three photos, you must hold a piece of paper with today’s date hand written on it.
The full cost of the monthly prescription was paid by card on application, and the money was only taken from your account once the prescription was approved.
The prescription was approved within 24 hours and Rick collected it from the pharmacy at ASDA in Accrington, 3 days later. It was a 2.5 mg injection, in the stomach, once a week, for 4 weeks. It came ready loaded in a pen, you popped a cap on with a tiny needle, turned the dial two clicks, and primed it by giving it a squeeze until some liquid came out. Then you turned the dial to number 1, popped the needle in your belly and pressed the pen down until the medication had been dispensed.
How it went for Rick..
Rick said that for the first few days, he didn’t think it was working. He felt like he was still on a normal diet; relying on good, old fashioned willpower. Then, by day four, he began to feel differently, but it was subtle. He was no longer thinking of food, at all really. However, by meal times, he was ready to eat, but it felt more functional, rather than habitual, routine or to satisfy a craving – all those feelings had gone.
Food has been left on his plate on numerous occasions, and that has never happened in his whole life before!
At the time of writing Rick has had 10 injections over the past 10 weeks.
This has been his plan:
- Weekly Mounjaro injection
- Hydration plan
- 3 pre-planned meals a day, with an apple following lunch
- 50 calorie ice lolly plan (ask him about it!)
- 3 x 3 mile runs per week
He has lost 2st 5lbs in weight and is back in the majority of his old clothes. He has 1 stone left to lose to get to his target, and he sees that as more than achievable. His first month’s prescription was a 2.5mg dose, month 2 was 5mg, and the third month was 7.5mg.
In terms of cost the first month came in at £108, the second and third month was £120 and £130. This was with discount codes applied, that were provided via email by ASDA. He says he has comfortably saved well in excess of that investment by not buying expensive daily lunches (they soon mount up!), having takeaways, meals out and the reduction in the weekly food shop bill.
He believes that by the end of the current prescription he will be around 7lbs away from his target. He intends to continue his new routines with food, drink and exercise, without medication. Due to him consistently, and successfully, following a program for a full 3 month period, he has little concern over failure. He has developed new habits that he will continue with.
Not a New Direction
Firstly, nothing has changed at Be Strong. We still hold the same values, ethics and beliefs as we always have.
If somebody comes to Be Strong we will still discuss their aims, and assess their full history along with their current health position. We will also take into consideration other factors that may also be prevalent.
We must always give the best quality advice to people – it is the essence of what we do, and our reputation depends on it. We must always adapt to change too, and we have done this on multiple occasions in the past.
We will try and explain our position on advice around weight loss medication with two examples: –
Janet Bloggs
- Janet is 28 years old
- No health conditions
- BMI of 36
- Active job, works full time as a nurse, 10,000 steps per day
- Currently 14st 2lbs
- Target weight 11st
History: Janet got married 4 years ago and moved in with her husband. They are very happily married and Janet says that Tim loves to cook and is a ‘feeder’. She has always hovered around the 11st weight range. However, since moving in with Tim, over the past 4 years her weight has steadily increased. Janet is open to new ideas and can free up an hour on 3 days per week to exercise.
Janet says she is fed up of not being to fit into her old clothes, she says she doesn’t ‘feel herself’ and her self esteem is low.
She has tried the ‘Atkins Diet’ and intermittent fasting at home, without success. This is the first time Janet has been with Be Strong and has never attended any similar groups.
Our advice:
- Hydration plan
- Calorie awareness period
- Calorie ceilings agreed
- Increase lifestyle knowledge to achieve logic
- 9-Week Couch to 5K program
Continually review, with adaptations if necessary, and advise on maintenance plan.
Susan Brown
- Susan is 39 years old
- High blood pressure
- BMI of 35
- Sedentary job, works in a call centre.
- Currently 14st 7lbs
- Target weight 10st
History: Susan has been overweight ever since she was a teenager. She states that she grew up in a fantastic, loving household, but the portion sizes were always huge, and there were far too many treats and snacks that were readily available. Both her parents were overweight, and Susan believes her own weight is hereditary.
Susan has been involved with various weight loss organisations ever since she was 20 (for 19 years), and has been to Be Strong three times previously. She states she knows what she has to do but simply can’t put it into practice. She has at least 3 attempts each year at re-starting a lifestyle program or diet.
She has completed a Tough Mudder with friends, and 2 x Couch to 5K programs, so has no issues whatsoever in increasing her activity. She cites that she has a relationship with food that means she is unable to adhere to the food side of any program she has tried to follow. She states that she spends at least £200 per month on eating out and takeaway foods.
Our advice:
Susan has tried to achieve a calorie deficit on approximately 57 occasions over the past 19 years. She has never achieved success. Susan compulsively eats and drinks to excess as she gets instant gratification, and despite her being fully aware of the negative consequences, and the behaviour being harmful.
- Mounjaro assessment via reputable online GP
- Hydration plan
- Calorie awareness period
- Calorie ceilings agreed
- Increase lifestyle knowledge to achieve logic
- 9-Week Couch to 5K program
Continually review, with adaptations if necessary, and advise on maintenance plan.
In Conclusion
We know a significant number of people at Be Strong who would massively benefit from accessing a weight loss prescription. The prescription only works along side following a lifestyle plan, and we believe we have the best lifestyle program in the country.
There are still negative opinions relating to people using weight loss prescriptions, with some seeing it as ‘cheating’, ‘shameful’ and ‘lazy’. This drives people underground, not daring to breathe a word that they are using them, for fear of unkindness and judgement.
This is the very reason we are being supportive, open and honest at Be Strong; giving our own opinion to change this unhelpful narrative.
This is the biggest single breakthrough in tackling obesity. The pricing will improve, more will be learned about potential side effects, and they will be more readily available. As they develop they will become even more effective, and will be as widely accepted as using a nicotine patch to aid smoking cessation.
Thanks to you all for your continued support.
Important Note
We do NOT receive any commission or financial benefit from any weight loss prescription that people may purchase.
In addition, we do not charge anything additional for advice and support provided to people on a weight loss prescription.
If you’re contemplating weight loss medication, please feel free to come down to group and speak to us in person. We most certainly have an amazing lifestyle program to support you in achieving your goal. Most importantly of all, we will also help you to transition from the medication, into your new maintenance lifestyle.