12 of the 20 services we list publish BMI criteria, and all 12 use the licensed starting points of a BMI of 30 or above, or 27 or above with a weight-related condition; some add an age range, a GP letter, recent measurements or a pharmacy BMI check.
Each provider's own pages and the EMA product information were read on . These are published service criteria, not a personal eligibility decision: a prescriber decides whether any treatment is suitable for you. Providers are in our editorial order, not ranked by price or criteria.
Swipe the table sideways for the requirements and source →
Published eligibility criteria by provider, checked 9 October 2026
Provider
Published BMI threshold
Other stated requirements
Source
Checked
EMA product information baselineWegovy and Mounjaro, adult weight management
Initial BMI of 30 or above (obesity), or 27 to under 30 (overweight) with at least one weight-related condition, for example prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, obstructive sleep apnoea or cardiovascular disease
Adults; an adjunct to a reduced-calorie diet and increased physical activity. A prescriber decides whether it is suitable for you.
Over 30 for injectable medicine; 27 to 30 with a weight-related condition (high blood pressure, obstructive sleep apnoea, prediabetes or high cholesterol)
Adults aged 18 to 75. Between BMI 27 and 30, a letter from your own GP confirming the condition. A pharmacy validates your BMI (weight, height and waist) before the first dispense.
Prescription treatment may be considered at BMI 30 or above, or 27 or above with a weight-related condition such as high blood pressure, sleep apnoea, prediabetes or type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol or fatty liver disease
Not suitable under 18 or for people not living in the Republic of Ireland.
BMI between 30 and 45, or 27 or above with weight-related complications (high blood pressure, raised cholesterol, cardiovascular disease or sleep apnoea)
Aged 18 to 65. Its page says the service may not be suitable if you have diabetes (type 1 or type 2).
BMI 30 or above, or 27 or above with a weight-related condition such as high blood pressure, type 2 diabetes, high cholesterol, sleep apnoea, fatty liver or PCOS with metabolic features
Blood results from the last three months are ideal; otherwise the doctor can request tests.
BMI 30 or more if you are using the service for the first time; or 27 or more with a diagnosed weight-related condition such as prediabetes, high blood pressure or high cholesterol
Aged 18 or over. Identity verification and photos or measurements; for injectable treatment, height, weight and blood pressure on a form dated, signed and stamped by a pharmacist, doctor or nurse.
“Not published” means the page we checked did not state it; it does not mean the provider has no criteria. Criteria change, so confirm them with the service before paying. GLP-1.ie is independent. No provider pays us today, for a listing, a ranking or a referral. If that changes, this note will say so, and payment will never change the order or remove a safety warning.
01
Start with a clinician assessment
General starting points are not a diagnosis or a promise of treatment. A qualified prescriber must review your health, current medicines and the licensed route.
Check the current service criteria before paying
Be prepared to discuss medical history and current medicines
Confirm who makes the prescription decision and where they are registered
Final suitability decided by a qualified prescriber
02
Get the route and total cost in writing
Many private routes begin with an online questionnaire or consultation. Before paying, confirm the prescriber, what the first and repeat fees include, and what remains unknown.
Compare the dated public evidence on the provider page
Complete a detailed health questionnaire online
Confirm who reviews your submission and where they are registered
Ask whether tests, a programme, pharmacy charges or delivery are separate
Check the refund policy if treatment is not considered suitable
03
Confirm prescription, pharmacy and follow-up
If a prescription is issued, the dispensing and collection or delivery route depends on the provider and pharmacy. Confirm it before committing.
Ask which pharmacy dispenses the medicine
Confirm collection or delivery coverage and any courier fee
Check the exact medicine and dose before paying the pharmacy
Understand the repeat-review and refill process
Ask who to contact about side effects or dose questions
What may a prescriber check?
Route starting points
• Provider age and service-area requirements
• The current licensed indication and service criteria
• Relevant measurements or documents the service requests
• A full clinical assessment before any prescription
Details the clinician needs
• Medical history and current medicines
• Previous treatment and weight-management history
• Relevant diagnoses and supporting documents
• Pregnancy or breastfeeding status where relevant
• Any provider-specific pharmacy validation
This is a general comparison guide only. A qualified prescriber makes the final eligibility and treatment decision.
Medical card, DPS, insurance and tax: what could help with the cost?
A prescription does not automatically mean a medicine is funded. Check the exact medicine, reason for treatment and any individual approval before budgeting for support.
Official sources checked between and ; HSE funding status checked 19 October 2026. This is a funding checklist, not a personal entitlement decision or medical or tax advice.
Start with the Irish GLP-1 funding guide to separate the full bill, confirmed contributions and costs you pay yourself. The four detailed guides below cover each route without treating a prescription or a quiz result as a funding decision.
1. HSE reimbursement
The HSE obesity guide currently lists Wegovy and Mounjaro as not covered by the medical card, Long-Term Illness Scheme or Drugs Payment Scheme for this route. Saxenda has a managed-access route with specific criteria and an individual application by the treating clinician; it is not universal coverage.
Is Wegovy funded by the HSE? Not yet. On 13 October 2026 the NCPE recommended that Wegovy be considered for reimbursement for adult weight management. That is advice to the HSE, not funding. The HSE Drugs Group considers it next, then HSE senior leadership makes the final decision. Wegovy is still not covered by the medical card, DPS or LTI.
The €80 monthly DPS threshold applies to approved medicines and appliances. It does not turn an uncovered private prescription into a covered one. Having a medical card also does not override medicine-specific reimbursement rules.
Ask your pharmacist to confirm whether your exact prescription qualifies under your scheme and whether approval is needed. Check consultation fees separately.
Cover for your particular policy has not been verified here. Ask your insurer for written confirmation of consultation, tests, programme and medicine cover separately before paying. Do not count a possible refund as confirmed savings.
Give the insurer the provider name and service description through its secure channel. Ask about recognised practitioners, referral or pre-authorisation requirements, excesses, annual limits and exclusions. Keep the response with your policy documents and itemised receipts; do not send them to GLP-1.ie.
Revenue lists doctor services and prescribed medicines among qualifying health expenses. Relief is generally 20% of qualifying costs you paid yourself, excluding amounts reimbursed or due from insurance, the HSE or another source. You must have paid tax in the relevant year to benefit; a refund is not guaranteed.
For example, €100 of qualifying expense less a €40 insurance reimbursement leaves €60: 20% is €12, subject to your tax position. This is an illustration, not a treatment price or confirmation that every programme charge qualifies.
Consultation, medicine, delivery and follow-up may be separate.
Provider and dispensing pharmacy
Which pharmacy fulfils the prescription?
Collection, delivery area and final medicine price depend on the route.
Provider and pharmacy
How are repeats handled?
Review frequency, refill timing and fees vary.
Provider terms
Who provides clinical support?
You need a clear contact for side effects, suitability and dose questions.
Provider clinical team
Provider processes change. Verify these points directly before paying.
Our prescription guide explains checking the doctor's full register entry, pharmacy choice and accepted prescription formats. The delivery checklist covers pharmacy-arranged delivery, lockers, uncertain handling and charges.
Plan the care around the prescription
Source-linked questions to take to a clinician. Sources checked ; this is an editorial check, not a clinical review.
What can I compare if my GP has a waiting list?
Ask the practice about another clinician, cancellations or a referral route. For a private alternative, compare an online doctor service, a local GP accepting new patients or a specialist weight-management clinic. Our provider directory separates published in-person examples from online routes; it does not hold live appointment availability. Contact the service to confirm its next suitable assessment, new-patient criteria, any referral requirement and the complete first-visit cost.
Check the actual doctor's registration and ask how tests, pharmacy fulfilment, follow-up and a summary to your usual GP will work. A quicker advertised appointment does not guarantee a prescription or medicine stock. The Medical Council's telemedicine guide explains checks for online consultations. If your issue needs urgent care, contact the appropriate clinical service rather than waiting for a routine weight-management booking.
Should I speak to my own GP or an online doctor?
Your usual GP is a useful starting point for discussing your wider health and existing care. An online consultation may be an option, but the doctor must decide whether a remote assessment is appropriate. Ask how any necessary examination or tests will be arranged, who provides follow-up and how the consultation reaches your usual GP record. The Medical Council advises checking the doctor's registration and asking for a note to your GP; you can also request a summary yourself. Check current appointment availability directly rather than assuming an online listing means an immediate slot.
What should I ask about nutrition and dietitian support?
The HSE describes dietitians as part of a possible care team and says your GP may refer you for help with eating in a way that suits your life. Ask who provides the nutrition support, whether you will see a registered dietitian, how individual needs are assessed, and whether appointments are one-to-one or in a group. Confirm the frequency, cost, referral requirements and how the dietitian communicates with your prescriber. A programme's mention of nutrition support does not establish that dietitian appointments are included. Check a named dietitian through CORU's register.
How should I discuss maintenance or stopping treatment?
Ask your clinician how you will review benefits, side effects and the wider care plan over time. Discuss what would lead them to recommend continuing, changing or stopping treatment, who will review you afterwards, and what nutrition and other support would continue. Raise affordability or supply concerns early so they can help plan the next step. If treatment is interrupted, ask the prescriber what to do before restarting; this guide does not provide a taper, restart dose or fixed treatment duration.
What support can I discuss if medicine is unsuitable or unaffordable?
Ask your GP about support for your health beyond a medicine prescription. The HSE describes a free, 12-month weight-management programme run by registered dietitians, with GP referral for people living with obesity. Availability depends on your area; a listing does not confirm a place or waiting time. Your GP can also discuss local supports and whether referral to a specialist service is appropriate. Check the criteria and any costs for the particular service. If cost is the barrier, use the funding guide to prepare questions about possible support without treating an unconfirmed contribution as money received.