Scots nurse’s death linked to weight-loss jab Mounjaro approved on NHS

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The death of a Scots nurse has been linked to an approved weight loss injection which is available on NHS.

Susan McGowan, from North Lanarkshire, took two low-dose injections of tirzepatide, known under the brand name Mounjaro, for about two weeks before her death on 4 September.

The 58-year-old's death certificate lists multiple organ failure, septic shock and pancreatitis as the immediate cause of death – but "the use of prescribed tirzepatide" is also recorded as a contributing factor, reports the BBC.

It is thought to be the first death officially linked to the drug in the UK. The nurse worked at Monklands for 30-years and was battling her weight for a while, often sharing with colleagues.

It was the emergence of new weight-loss jabs that seemed to her to offer better chances of success, and after researching Mounjaro and seeking medical advice, she purchased a prescription via a registered online pharmacy.

The drug typically costs between £150 and £200 for a four-week supply and can be purchased from any registered pharmacy in the UK.

Days after her second injection, she began experiencing severe stomach pains and sickness, so she was rushed to A&E at Monklands where she went into multiple organ failure and later died.

Jade Campbell, Ms McGowan's niece, was with her in the hospital and said: "“Susan had always carried a wee bit of extra weight but there were never any health concerns. She wasn't on any other medication. She was healthy."

“Susan was such a bubbly person. She was really generous, she was really kind and she was the life of the party - a huge personality. They said she had the biggest laugh in the hospital."

Tirzepatide is one of a group of weight-loss drugs known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, which work by making the patient feel fuller for longer.

The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) approved it in 2023 for use as a weight-loss aid in the UK, including on the NHS, although the drug is currently only prescribed to a small number of patients due to factors like cost and availability.

The MHRA runs the yellow card scheme, through which any member of the public or health profession can log reports of suspected drug side effects.

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Public data is only available up to May this year, but between January and May 2024 there were 208 reports about tirzepatide on the yellow card scheme, including 31 serious reactions and one suspected death of a man in his sixties. Ms McGowan's death is too recent to appear in this data.

Mounjaro manufacturer Lilly told the BBC that patient safety was the company's top priority. A spokesperson said: "We are committed to continually monitoring, evaluating, and reporting safety information for all Lilly medicines.

"Mounjaro was approved based on extensive assessment of the benefits and risks of the medicine, and we provide information about the benefits and risks of all our medicines to regulators around the world to ensure the latest information is available for prescribers."

A Scottish Government spokesperson said: “Our deepest sympathy goes to anyone affected by a loss in the circumstances described.

“The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is the UK-wide regulator which has overarching responsibility for the safety of medicines.

“The Scottish Government cannot comment on individual prescribing cases as Health Boards and healthcare professionals locally have responsibility for service delivery and patient treatment. The decision about which medicine to prescribe is a clinical one made by the prescriber, having considered an individual‘s condition and medical history.”

The Record has approached Mounjaro manufacturer Lilly for comment.

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