Eli Lilly has announced a significant price increase for its popular diabetes and weight-loss drug, Mounjaro, in the United Kingdom. Effective from September, the list price for the medication will rise by as much as 170%, a move the company says is aimed at aligning UK prices with other European markets.
The price for a month's supply of the highest dose of Mounjaro will increase from £122 to £330. This change comes after Eli Lilly launched the drug in the UK with a price "significantly below" the European average to ensure its rapid availability through the National Health Service (NHS).
According to a company spokesperson, the decision to raise prices is part of a strategy to "ensure fair global contributions to the cost of innovation." The drugmaker has also stated that it has reached an agreement with the NHS to maintain continued supply and access for patients receiving the medication through the state-run health service. The NHS has confirmed that the price increase will not affect the drug's availability for people with obesity and type 2 diabetes who are treated through the state-run health service.
While the price increase brings UK costs more in line with other European countries, it's worth noting that the new UK price remains significantly lower than the list price in the United States, which is approximately $1,080 per fill.
The price hike has drawn criticism from some industry bodies and online pharmacies, who have expressed concern that the increase will make the medication unaffordable for many private patients. Some have warned that this could lead to "stop-start therapy," which is considered a poor clinical option, or may push patients to switch to rival medications like Wegovy.
The news of the UK price increase comes amidst broader discussions about international drug pricing and the U.S. government's "Most Favored Nation" (MFN) order, which aims to match U.S. drug prices to lower costs in other developed nations. While Eli Lilly was not confirmed to be a part of these specific MFN discussions, the company's CEO, David Ricks, has previously spoken about the need to rebalance drug prices between the U.S. and Europe.
