Mounjaro Price Surge Softened by Discount for UK Pharmacies

Eli Lilly, the US manufacturer of the weight management injection Mounjaro, has announced a new discount for private pharmacies in the UK. The move follows widespread concern after the company more than doubled Mounjaro’s list price, sparking warnings from more than 1.5 million British patients, many of whom feared they would be forced to stop treatment or switch to alternatives such as Wegovy due to affordability concerns.

The list price for the highest 15mg dose is set to rise dramatically from £122 to £330 as of 1 September, with the 5mg dose climbing from £92 to £180. However, a newly agreed pharmacy discount will reduce the highest dose from £330 to £247.50, easing the overall effect of the price hike. The NHS had already secured an agreement to shield its limited number of patients from this change, but most British users obtain Mounjaro via private routes, leaving them exposed to higher out-of-pocket costs.

Olivier Picard, chair of the National Pharmacy Association, noted that this rebate would partly offset the steep increase, but patients should still expect a higher bill at the pharmacy counter. Many owners indicate that the published prices now incorporate the expected discount, though pharmacies must wait to receive rebates retrospectively after dispensing the medicine. Pharmacies are exploring all available rebate mechanisms to keep this essential medication as affordable as possible and minimise disruptions to patients’ ongoing treatment.

Lilly has reiterated its commitment to continue working with private providers on commercial arrangements and expects that these pricing changes will be passed on to patients from September. The manufacturer is also seeking to collaborate with the government to extend NHS access to a broader set of eligible patients. This comes as deliveries of Mounjaro were paused midweek, with demand spiking amid patient anxiety to secure supplies ahead of the price change.

Dr Leyla Hannbeck of the Independent Pharmacies Association has been vocal in urging government intervention to prevent interruption of care for those reliant on the medication. She criticised ministers for failing to address the immediate concerns of hundreds of thousands of private patients, highlighting how even as the NHS arrangement protects a minority, the vast majority are left navigating a turbulent and uncertain market environment. As the debate around drug pricing intensifies, the Mounjaro episode serves as a clear indicator of the high stakes for patients reliant on innovative therapies.