Eli Lilly to significantly raise UK price of Mounjaro weight-loss drug.

Eli Lilly will raise the UK list price of its weight-loss injection Mounjaro by up to 170% from September, increasing the cost of a month's supply of the highest dose from £122 to £330. The move follows US President Donald Trump's calls for drugmakers to raise prices in Europe to help lower costs for American patients. The NHS will not pay the higher price, but private providers may face increased costs unless they negotiate discounts.

Eli Lilly has announced a significant price increase for its weight-loss injection Mounjaro in the UK. Effective from September, the cost of a month's supply of the highest dose will rise from £122 to £330, a 170% increase [1][2]. This move follows calls from US President Donald Trump for drugmakers to raise prices in Europe to make medicines more affordable for Americans.

The increase will affect those who pay privately for Mounjaro, but the UK's National Health Service (NHS) will not pay the new higher price, ensuring continued access for patients receiving the treatment through the health service. Eli Lilly has stated that it is working with private healthcare providers to ensure continued access to the medicine through discounts.

The price increase aligns Mounjaro's list price more consistently with other European markets. When Mounjaro was launched in the UK in February 2024, Eli Lilly agreed to a list price "significantly below" its other European markets to prevent delays in availability through the NHS [1].

This decision reflects the pharmaceutical industry's response to policy changes in the United States, where President Trump is pushing for lower domestic prices and encouraging price hikes overseas. The U.S. pays more for prescription drugs than any other country, often nearly three times as much as other developed nations [1][2].

Eli Lilly's move is part of a broader trend in the pharmaceutical industry, with companies navigating complex pricing strategies to balance the needs of different markets. The increased cost for private payers may lead to negotiations for discounts, ensuring that the medicine remains accessible to those who need it.

References:

[1] https://www.theguardian.com/business/2025/aug/14/eli-lilly-uk-price-weight-loss-jab-mounjaro-trump
[2] https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/lilly-hike-uk-price-mounjaro-weight-loss-drug-by-170-2025-08-14/