HSE to consider access to weight loss drug Mounjaro
Summary
HSE experts are meeting to decide whether to cover the weight-loss drug Monjaro, sparking debate on cost-effectiveness and access. Guests Dr. Mick Crotty and Kate O’Connell argue for prioritizing patients with severe obesity and complications to treat the disease as a chronic condition rather than a cosmetic issue. They highlight the need for primary care resourcing, equitable access for lower-income groups, and the dangers of the grey market, emphasizing that while the drugs are effective, funding them requires careful budgeting and long-term support.
Topics discussed
HSE meeting on free access to weight loss drug Monjaro
Introduction of guests Dr. Mick Crotty and Kate O'Connell
Treating obesity as a chronic disease vs. cosmetic weight loss
Cost-effectiveness and potential billion-euro budget impact
Long-term health benefits and supporting medical innovation
Risks of counterfeit medicines and the grey market
Capacity challenges for GPs and primary care services
Phased access criteria and varying treatment needs
Supply availability and the role of the chronic disease pathway
Inequality in access and the need for fair government rollout
Prioritizing patients with severe complications and long-term care
Supporting current self-funding patients and GP resourcing
Reducing illicit use through legitimate HSE provision
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