New Obesity Treatment Available in Australia: Mounjaro® (Tirzepatide

By Ian Rogers

Australians living with obesity or overweight and associated health conditions now have access to a new treatment option, as the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has expanded the use of Mounjaro® (tirzepatide) beyond its initial approval for type 2 diabetes.

The medication is now approved for chronic weight management, including weight loss and maintenance, for adults with:

• A body mass index (BMI) of 30 kg/m² or greater (obesity), or
• A BMI of 27 to 30 kg/m² (overweight) with at least one related health issue, such as high blood pressure, high cholesterol, heart disease, prediabetes, or sleep apnoea.

Mounjaro is intended to be used alongside a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity.

Healthcare professionals have welcomed this expansion, citing the urgent need to address Australia’s growing obesity crisis. Associate Professor Samantha Hocking from the Charles Perkins Centre, University of Sydney, stated, “Obesity is a serious, progressive disease that requires long-term management, just like any other chronic illness.” She emphasized that medication for weight management can significantly improve long-term health outcomes, shifting the focus away from cosmetic motivations.

Currently, one-third of Australian adults are living with obesity (BMI ≥ 30), and approximately two-thirds fall within the overweight (BMI ≥ 25) or obesity categories. Due to stigma and outdated views on weight management, many individuals are reluctant to seek medical advice and, as a result, do not receive appropriate care. Prof. Hocking highlighted that “eating less and moving more” is often insufficient for many people in achieving long-term healthy weight goals, underscoring the need for evidence-based medical interventions like Mounjaro.

The Mounjaro® medication works by mimicking two hormones, GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) and GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide), which help promote fullness and regulate blood sugar levels. Although available only through private prescription and not yet listed on the Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme (PBS), Mounjaro offers a promising new approach for chronic weight management.

A modest 5% reduction in body weight can significantly reduce the risk of obesity-related complications, such as type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease. Eli Lilly Australia, the manufacturer of Mounjaro, is advocating for broader access to the medication through the PBS.

Tori Brown, General Manager of Eli Lilly Australia, emphasized the importance of Mounjaro as a tool in tackling the obesity epidemic, which poses serious health risks, including cardiovascular disease and obstructive sleep apnoea. She also highlighted the potential economic benefits of such treatments, which may enhance productivity and community health.

Lilly is also scaling up global production of Mounjaro and other incretin-based medicines to meet increasing demand, with a 150% increase in global production expected by the second half of 2024. Brown reaffirmed Lilly’s commitment to ensuring a stable supply of Mounjaro for Australian patients.

For more information on Mounjaro, visit the Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care’s Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).

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Easy Read Hub to improve access to key government services

The Minns Labor Government is making essential information more accessible for communities across the state with a new ‘Easy Read’ format for a wide range of topics from how to prepare for an emergency to applying for a Photo Card.

The Easy Read format presents information in a straightforward and easy to understand way, with simplified language, large font sizes and images to support text.

This new format is particularly useful for people with an intellectual disability. In NSW, there are approximately 1.34 million residents living with disability, and one in 20 who require assistance in their daily lives, according to the Judicial Commission of New South Wales.

The Easy Read format is also useful for people with low literacy levels and those whose first language is not English.

The newly launched Easy Read Hub delivers on Labor’s election commitment to make all NSW Government documents relevant to people with an intellectual disability available in Easy Read format by 2025.

So far, 36 topics have been translated into Easy Read including guides on applying for social housing, paying debts, and accessing TAFE courses. Another 10 guides are in progress covering everything from emergency preparedness to topping up your Opal card and staying safe from scams, which will be available in the coming months.

In partnership with the Council for Intellectual Disability and other key stakeholders, an Easy Read Style Guide is also being released to ensure all NSW Government departments can prepare online content using Easy Read.

The Style Guide is part of the NSW Government’s Accessibility and Inclusivity Toolkit which provides the guidance and tools for NSW Government agencies to make their content accessible.

Find out more about Easy Read here.

Example – Image of an older woman getting a vaccination and the accompanying text.

Minister for Customer Service and Digital Government Jihad Dib said:

“Inclusion is a key priority for me, including making sure every resident can access the information they need online and in person. I am grateful for the key role played by the Council for Intellectual Disability in partnering with my department to develop a guide for the NSW public sector on how to produce more information in Easy Read format.”

“Lived experience provides an incredibly important insight, and we continue to work closely with people with intellectual disabilities and other stakeholders to ensure that our services are truly inclusive and accessible to all.

“The launch of the Easy Read project is an important step as we continue to make NSW a more inclusive state for everyone.”

Minister for Disability Inclusion Kate Washington said:

“Coming into Government, we made a commitment to the disability community to make our important information available in Easy Read.

“Working in partnership with the Council for Intellectual Disability, we’re delivering on our commitment so everyone can access the information they need.

“The Easy Read format ensures we are clearly communicating important information about essential services to everyone, especially people with disability and those with low literacy levels.”

Fiona McKenzie AM, Vice-Chair of the Council for Intellectual Disability said:

“Easy Read is our ticket to inclusion! It helps us find the government services we need and how to live a full life in the community. Thanks to the Government for its commitment to Easy Read and listening to us about what makes good Easy Read.”

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Dementia Australia Launches Diversity Small Grant Program for Community Awareness

By Ian Rogers

Dementia Australia has announced the launch of its new Diversity Small Grant program, aimed at increasing awareness and understanding of dementia within Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and culturally and linguistically diverse (CALD) communities. The program offers grants of up to $30,000 for activities that promote dementia awareness in these communities.

Applications are now open and will remain so until 11 October. Aboriginal, Torres Strait Islander, and CALD organisations are encouraged to apply for funding to develop culturally appropriate activities that help educate their communities about dementia.

Dementia rates among First Nations people are approximately 3-5 times higher than the general population, while 28% of people living with dementia in Australia were born in a non-English speaking country.

Dementia Australia CEO Professor Tanya Buchanan highlighted the importance of this program in empowering communities to raise awareness in ways that best suit their needs. “We want everyone, regardless of background, to know that Dementia Australia is here to support them,” she said.

In addition to funding, successful applicants will receive two professional dementia information sessions for their staff or committee members, and continued support from Dementia Australia.

For more information and to apply, visit here.

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