Mounjaro added to the General Health System in Cyprus

Effective October 15, the Health Insurance Organisation (HIO) has officially added the medication Mounjaro to the General Health System (GHS) list of pharmaceutical products in Cyprus. This update streamlines access for patients treating type 2 diabetes and obesity by replacing the previous requirement for individual named-patient requests, which were formerly reviewed by specific committees. Instead, physicians can now seek reimbursement through the GHS pre-approval process using standardized protocols.

To qualify for Mounjaro, patients must meet strict medical criteria established by the HIO. For obesity, patients are eligible if they have a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or higher, or a BMI between 35 and 40 combined with established cardiovascular disease or moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep apnea. For type 2 diabetes, the medication is accessible provided the patient has already attempted treatment with an alternative drug in the same pharmacological category.

These measures are designed to prevent the misuse of the drug amidst high demand. HIO officials emphasize that while Mounjaro aids in weight management, its primary function is to mitigate severe health risks associated with obesity and diabetes. The new, unified protocol aims to ensure equitable and efficient distribution of the medication to those who medically require it.