Mounjaro Weight Loss Drug Sees Soaring Prices And Temporary Pause In UK Supply

Eli Lilly, one of the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies, has temporarily halted orders of its highly sought-after weight-loss injection, Mounjaro, to the UK. This move comes as the market braces for a dramatic price surge of up to 170 per cent next week, sparking concern among patients and pharmacists alike.

From Wednesday evening, pharmacies have not been able to replenish their stocks at the current lower rate, with the suspension of supply set to lift on September 1. Eli Lilly is preparing to nearly triple the wholesale price, moving prices for the drug to between £133 and £330 per injection, depending on dose. For reference, a pen containing four doses currently retails for £92 to £122.

The announcement has created anxiety within the UK’s private healthcare market, where an estimated 1.5 million people are prescribed weight-loss jabs, almost all of whom pay out of pocket. Mounjaro leads the class, now regarded as the pre-eminent option for obesity injections. Clinical studies highlight its efficacy, showing up to 21 per cent average body weight loss for users, outperforming rival Wegovy’s 15 per cent.

Pharmacy leaders have criticised both the abrupt price escalation and the pause in supply, describing the situation as deeply troubling for affected patients. The Independent Pharmacies Association and the National Pharmacy Association have both urged Eli Lilly to reconsider its approach, while encouraging patients not to stockpile medication, warning that such behaviour could risk disrupting access for others and pose patient safety issues.

Eli Lilly has attributed its decision to the need for price parity with other developed markets, a move influenced by international political pressure. Notably, recent calls from the White House have asked pharmaceutical firms to reduce prices for American consumers, pushing costs up elsewhere as a consequence. The company has implemented stock allocations and emphasised that legal protections prevent inappropriate medicines stockpiling by providers.

The NHS currently has a negotiated arrangement for Mounjaro at a significantly reduced cost compared with private rates. To qualify for a prescription through the NHS, patients must meet rigorous criteria including a BMI over 40 and the presence of several specific health conditions such as type 2 diabetes or sleep apnoea. As prices move upwards in the private sector, ministers face increased calls to broaden NHS access and take regulatory action to curb excessive price increases, with the Liberal Democrats demanding government intervention against what they describe as “price gouging”.

While the Department of Health has reported no current supply shortages, the increased cost of Mounjaro and the temporary supply embargo have cast a spotlight on the broader debate over drug pricing policy and patient access to important medicines in Britain.