“Mounjaro Price UK: Discount Deal to Keep Costs Lower at Pharmacies”
Discount Deal Limits Mounjaro Price Rise for UK Patients
The maker of the popular weight-loss drug Mounjaro has struck a discounted deal with UK suppliers, which is expected to ease the impact of price increases on patients from September.
Earlier this month, manufacturer Eli Lilly announced it would raise the list price of Mounjaro by up to 170%, a move that could have pushed the monthly cost of the highest dose from £122 to £330.
However, the BBC understands that under the new agreement, the top dose will instead be sold to suppliers for £247.50.
Although pharmacies and private weight-loss providers will add their own mark-up, the increase for patients should now be far smaller than originally feared.
How the Drugs Work
Mounjaro, along with rival drug Wegovy, is given as a weekly injection. The treatment helps reduce appetite by making users feel full, allowing many people to lose up to 20% of their body weight.
In the UK, around 1.5 million people are thought to be taking weight-loss drugs, with more than half using Mounjaro. The vast majority – around nine in ten – purchase the medication privately through pharmacies or online services.
Price Differences and NHS Access
Eli Lilly has said UK prices needed to be brought closer to those in Europe and the US, where the drugs are much more expensive.
The deal will not affect NHS patients, since the health service has its own discounted supply agreement.
What Patients Can Expect
Private providers vary in what they charge and the type of support they offer alongside the drug, such as lifestyle or diet plans.
Industry experts say the consumer price rise for Mounjaro could now be limited to under 50% for higher doses and potentially even less for lower doses.
Olivier Picard of the National Pharmacy Association explained:
“Pharmacies will do all they can to support patients when prices change. This rebate will soften the impact, but patients should still expect an increase from 1 September. We are working hard to minimise disruption to treatment programmes.”
The Bigger Picture
This development comes as demand for weight-loss drugs continues to surge in the UK. While pharmacies race to keep supplies available, the latest price deal may offer some relief to patients who feared a much sharper rise in costs.
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