Eli Lilly slashes 170% price hike on the UK\’s top weight‑loss drug, Mounjaro.
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Updated Pricing for Mounjaro Will Not Restrict NHS Patients
Despite the recent price increase announced by the manufacturer, there will be no impact on patient access when treatment is provided through the National Health Service.
What This Means for Patients
- Patients receiving Mounjaro through the NHS will continue to get the medication at the current cost.
- The NHS has confirmed that reimbursement rates remain unchanged in line with the updated pricing.
- Clinical teams will maintain the same treatment plans without additional financial barriers.
Key Takeaway
Both NHS patients and the healthcare system can expect stable treatment access even as the medication’s market price adjusts.
Eli Lilly to Increase Mounjaro Prices in the United Kingdom by Up to 170%
In a recent announcement, the U.S. drugmaker Eli Lilly confirmed it will raise the price of its blockbuster weight‑loss medication Mounjaro for consumers in the United Kingdom. Starting on September 1, the highest dosage of Mounjaro will cost £330 for a month’s supply, up from the current £122.
Because the new rate represents the list price—the amount private providers pay for the drug—clinics are likely to adjust patient charges accordingly. However, the increase is not expected to impact individuals receiving Mounjaro through the National Health Service (NHS). A spokesperson for NHS England confirmed that the price hike will not affect NHS procurement for those eligible for the medication, whether for obesity or type‑2 diabetes treatment.
Impact on Private Patients
Patients who obtain Mounjaro via private doctors should contact their providers for further guidance. Eli Lilly’s representative assured that the company will collaborate with private clinicians to maintain patient access.
Context in the UK and EU
- Mounjaro is approved for treating obesity, type‑2 diabetes, and related weight‑related health issues in both the UK and the European Union.
- Competing injections—Ozempic and Wegovy—from Novo Nordisk are also available in these markets.
- The price adjustment aims to bring the UK cost closer to that of other European nations. The Lilly spokesperson noted that the original UK list price was set significantly below the European average to avoid delaying NHS access.
- With new clinical evidence and market changes, Lilly plans to align its list price more consistently to reflect the global cost of innovation.
Political Pressure for Pricing Alignment
The adjustment comes amid ongoing pressure from U.S. political leaders, notably former President Donald Trump, who has urged pharmaceutical companies to lower drug costs in the U.S. so they match the lowest prices available in other affluent countries. Trump has highlighted how the U.S. pays higher prices to support drug development, while wealthier nations often benefit from lower costs.
In May, Trump commented that a “friend” of his had received Mounjaro in the U.K. at a significantly cheaper price than in the U.S. He has referred to European countries as “freeloading,” suggesting that Americans bear the financial burden of drug innovation.
Future Development
Following the announcement, several pharmaceutical firms have indicated plans to align U.S. pricing with that of other developed countries. Eli Lilly’s statement that the Mounjaro price increase will “address pricing inconsistencies compared to other developed countries, including in Europe” signals such alignment efforts.
