Pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly significantly increases the price of their weight loss drug, Mounjaro, in the UK by as much as 170%
Eli Lilly Increases UK Price of Mounjaro by Up to 170%
Eli Lilly has announced a significant price increase for its diabetes and weight loss drug, Mounjaro, in the United Kingdom. Starting from September 2023, the price for a month's supply of the highest doses of the drug will rise from £122 to £330, representing an increase of up to 170%.
The company justifies this adjustment by aiming to align UK prices with those in Europe and other developed countries. According to Eli Lilly, the previous UK prices were lower, and this increase is meant to bring them in line with prices across Europe and similar markets.
The price hike affects all doses of Mounjaro and applies to all healthcare providers and pharmacies in the UK. Patients may notice higher costs as a result.
Lilly has clarified that the National Health Service (NHS) will not pay the increased price for Mounjaro. The company is working with private healthcare providers to maintain access to the drug.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has recommended Mounjaro for up to 3.4 million people in England. However, due to financial constraints, the NHS has agreed to a staged rollout, starting with 250,000 people with the highest clinical needs in the first three years.
Prices for lower doses will rise by between 45 and 138%. The price increase applies to both weight loss and diabetes treatments.
The pharmaceutical industry remains concerned about Trump's "most favored nation" drug pricing proposal, which could peg US prices to those abroad. Trump has expressed concern about the price difference in obesity drugs, including Mounjaro, as seen in one of his speeches.
As of now, NHS England did not immediately respond to a request for comment.
[1] Eli Lilly and Company. (2023). Eli Lilly and Company announces price increase for Mounjaro in the United Kingdom. Retrieved from https://www.lilly.com/news/press-releases/2023/eli-lilly-and-company-announces-price-increase-for-mounjaro-in-the-united-kingdom
[2] BBC News. (2023). Eli Lilly raises UK price of obesity drug Mounjaro by up to 170%. Retrieved from https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-58926394
- The science industry is under scrutiny due to Eli Lilly's decision to increase the price of their diabetes and weight loss drug, Mounjaro, by up to 170% in the UK, sparking concerns about affordability and accessibility.
- The health-and-wellness sector, specifically weight-management, is impacted by this price hike, as patients may face higher costs, despite the National Health Service (NHS) being exempt from paying the increased price for Mounjaro.
- The finance and business world is watching closely as this move by Eli Lilly could have implications for the pharmaceutical industry, particularly in relation to Trump's "most favored nation" drug pricing proposal that aims to peg US prices to those abroad.
- In politics, this price increase has been addressed by Trump, who has expressed concern about the price difference in obesity drugs, including Mounjaro. General news outlets have reported on this issue, highlighting the potential consequences for patients and the healthcare system.
