The price of Mounjaro weight loss injections are set to go up by 170 percent in the UK, following pressures from US President Donald Trump.
Eli Lilly, the American manufacturer behind the weight loss jabs, confirmed the price hike after the White House pushed for higher prices in Europe in a bid to reduce costs for US citizens.
From September, a month's supply of the highest dose of Mounjaro will cost £330, compared to the current price of just £122.
The manufacturer says it initially agreed to a significantly lower price for the weight loss jabs in the UK compared to other European markets to prevent delays in availability through the NHS, however, it will now 'align the price list more consistently.'
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A spokesperson for Eli Lilly told LADbible: "Following a review, Lilly will increase the UK list price for Mounjaro (tirzepatide), from 1 September to address pricing inconsistencies compared to other developed countries, including in Europe. In parallel, we have reached an agreement with the NHS to ensure continued supply and patient access. While Lilly does not determine the prices that private healthcare providers set, we are working with them to maintain patient access.
"The UK was one of the first countries where Lilly launched Mounjaro, and our priority was to bring it to patients as quickly as possible during a time of limited supply of GLP-1 RA treatments for type 2 diabetes. At launch, Lilly agreed to a UK list price that is significantly below the European average to prevent delays in NHS availability. With changes in the environment and new clinical evidence supporting the value of Mounjaro, we are now aligning the list price more consistently to ensure fair global contributions to the cost of innovation."
Pressure from Trump
It comes after Trump's administration put pressure on the pharmaceutical company to relieve the expense of the drug in the US, where it currently costs more than in any other country.
The POTUS called for the price gap to be reduced in a bid to stop Americans from being 'ripped off'.
Eli Lilly said in a statement: "Lilly supports the administration's goal of keeping the United States the world's leading destination for biopharmaceutical research and manufacturing, and the objective of more fairly sharing the costs of breakthrough medical research across developed countries.
"This rebalancing may be difficult, but it means the prices for medicines paid by governments and health systems need to increase in other developed markets like Europe in order to make them lower in the US."
Impact on private prescription users
It's estimated that around 500,000 people in the UK are currently using Mounjaro through a private prescription, meaning they will be impacted by the price hikes.
Click2pharamcy explained on its website: "It’s not a decision made by individual pharmacies, which means the new price will apply everywhere, whether you use a local chemist or order online. The increase comes at a time when demand for Mounjaro is higher than ever and supply chains are under ongoing pressure to keep up."
NHS prescriptions unaffected
Meanwhile, NHS prescriptions will remain unaffected by the price increase, an NHS spokesperson has confirmed.
They told LADbible: "Licensed, cost-effective weight loss medication, such as tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) provides a valuable tool to support people to reach a healthier weight along with the wider health and lifestyle benefits that offers.
"The approved list price increase will not affect NHS commissioning of tirzepatide in England for eligible people living with obesity, based on clinical priority, or as a treatment for type 2 diabetes.
"Anyone with questions about their private tirzepatide prescription should contact their private provider."
Topics: Health, Mounjaro, NHS, UK News, Donald Trump
Emma Rosemurgey