The Mounjaro price in the UK will rise sharply from September, with pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly increasing the cost of its weight loss and diabetes drug by as much as 170 percent. The move comes as the company responds to political pressure in the US over “foreign freeloaders” — countries accused of benefiting from lower drug prices while Americans pay far more.
Major Price Increase
Eli Lilly announced that the highest monthly dose of Mounjaro will jump from £122 to £330. Lower doses will also become significantly more expensive, with increases ranging from 45 to 138 percent.
The company said the change aims to “address pricing inconsistencies compared with other developed countries, including in Europe.” The decision marks a substantial shift in pricing strategy, especially in one of Mounjaro’s earliest international markets.
NHS Prices Remain Unchanged
Despite the sharp rise in private sector prices, Eli Lilly confirmed that it will not raise the price paid by the National Health Service (NHS). This step, the company explained, is intended to ensure stable supply for patients already prescribed the drug through the public health system.
The NHS currently provides Mounjaro for select patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes under guidance from the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE). To protect affordability, the rollout within the NHS is staged, starting with about 250,000 patients who have the highest clinical needs.
Private Sector Impact
The price hike will primarily affect private healthcare providers and their patients. While the list price will rise significantly, private providers can negotiate confidential discounts with Eli Lilly. Still, the sharp increase is expected to put pressure on individuals paying out of pocket for the treatment.
US Pressure Over Drug Costs
The price revision comes amid longstanding criticism from US policymakers — particularly former president Donald Trump — that Americans shoulder disproportionately high drug costs compared with other countries.
US drug prices average nearly three times those in many other developed nations, according to research by The Rand Corporation. The pharmaceutical industry fears Trump’s proposed “most favoured nation” rule, which would tie US drug prices to lower international rates.
Read: Congo Virus Symptoms Detected in Two Doctors at Karachi’s Jinnah Hospital
By increasing UK prices, Eli Lilly and other companies aim to reduce the gap between US and overseas prices, potentially shielding themselves from such reforms.
Impact on UK Drug Negotiations
The threat of US pricing reforms has influenced talks between drugmakers and the UK government. Negotiations over a “clawback” tax — a levy designed to control NHS spending on medicines — have already missed deadlines.
While the UK government has proposed increasing its drug budget, industry executives say details remain unclear. Questions persist over whether the extra spending will come from buying larger quantities of drugs or from paying higher prices.
Launch Strategy and Early Pricing
Eli Lilly highlighted that the UK was one of the first countries to receive Mounjaro after its launch. At the time, the company set the UK list price well below the European average to avoid delays in NHS availability.
However, the company now argues that updated clinical evidence demonstrates Mounjaro’s high value, justifying an alignment of prices with global standards. This shift reflects a broader trend among pharmaceutical companies to ensure what they call “fair global contributions” to the cost of innovation.
Mounjaro’s Recommended Use
NICE has recommended Mounjaro for up to 3.4 million people in England, covering both obesity and type 2 diabetes cases. However, given the NHS’s budget constraints, the full rollout will take years.
Initially, the drug will be provided to patients with the greatest clinical need. Over time, availability will expand to a larger patient population, depending on budget and supply.
NHS Response
NHS England stated that the price increase in the private market will not affect public supply. It described Mounjaro as a cost-effective and valuable treatment option that can help patients achieve healthier weights and gain associated health benefits.
The health service maintains that its priority is ensuring that eligible patients receive the drug under existing funding and clinical guidelines.
Follow us on Instagram, YouTube, Facebook,, X and TikTok for latest updates
