The Welsh government has announced that the weight-loss drug tirzepatide (Mounjaro) will be made available to patients needing time-sensitive surgery or organ transplants.
It will also be available to women seeking fertility treatment, and people with conditions such as severe asthma, severe obstructive sleep apnoea, or cancer where weight loss would improve treatment outcomes.
The government said it is developing a comprehensive new model to expand capacity across specialist, primary care and community settings.
This will ensure tirzepatide and other weight loss medications are more widely available, combined with wrap-around support.
Health Secretary Jeremy Miles said there is considerable demand for specialist weight management services and growing pressure for access to these medications through the NHS.
"To help meet demand in a sustainable way, we are building capacity and capability, while ensuring people with the most urgent clinical need can access treatment without delay," he added.
Previously, the weight loss medication was only available on the NHS through specialist weight management services.
The change follows NICE's approval of tirzepatide in December 2024 for treating obesity in adults, with an estimated 186,000 people in Wales potentially meeting the eligibility criteria.
