Eli Lilly to raise Mounjaro cost in UK by up to 170% in September

Eli Lilly will raise the cost of its diabetes drug Mounjaro by up to 170% in the UK starting September. The increase comes amid a backdrop of rising drug prices and access concerns. Mounjaro, approved for type 2 diabetes, is a GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist.

Eli Lilly has announced a significant price increase for its diabetes drug Mounjaro in the UK, effective from September 2025. The new price will be up to 170% higher than the current rates, affecting private patients who pay for the medicine. This increase comes amid ongoing discussions about drug pricing and access concerns.

Mounjaro, a GLP-1/GIP receptor agonist, was approved for type 2 diabetes in 2023 and for weight management in 2024. It works by mimicking gut hormones to regulate blood sugar and appetite. The drug has seen surging demand, particularly for its weight-loss effects, leading to intermittent shortages.

Private patients in the UK will face the most significant impact. The cost for the highest dose of Mounjaro is expected to rise from approximately £122 to £330 a month. Clinicians and pharmacists have expressed concerns that this price increase could affect affordability and patient adherence, potentially leading some patients to discontinue treatment or reduce their dosage to save costs.

The price adjustment follows pressure from the United States government for pharmaceutical companies to raise prices in other developed markets. This move is intended to make room for potential price cuts in the US under recently introduced reforms. In the UK, the sharpest increase will affect the highest Mounjaro dosage sold privately, though lower dosages will also rise significantly. The company has not announced changes to its NHS supply terms, which were agreed as part of a deal that gave patients earlier access to the drug at below-market rates.

Health economists suggest that this move could influence drug pricing across Europe, as manufacturers adjust their strategies to align with US policy. Pharmacy leaders have called for the government to consider safeguards for patients who do not qualify for NHS treatment but still require long-term therapy. "Clinicians are facing a situation in which life-changing obesity treatments are being rationed due to overwhelming demand," said Sarah Le Brocq of the Obesity Health Alliance. "Without urgent government action, millions may lose equitable access to care."

Advocacy groups and patient organizations are urging closer scrutiny of price changes for high-demand medicines. They argue that without additional safeguards, large price rises could widen health inequalities. Eli Lilly has not ruled out further price adjustments in the coming years but says it remains committed to maintaining NHS access at current levels for the duration of its agreement.

As policymakers debate potential interventions, the widening gap between public and private access is expected to remain a central issue in the UK healthcare landscape.

References:
[1] https://www.ibtimes.co.uk/eli-lilly-mounjaro-uk-price-increase-set-soar-170private-patients-facing-330-monthly-costs-1741172
[2] https://www.inkl.com/news/eli-lilly-mounjaro-uk-price-increase-set-to-soar-by-up-to-170-private-patients-facing-330-monthly-costs
[3] https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/lilly-hike-uk-price-mounjaro-weight-loss-drug-by-170-2025-08-14/