Recent news surrounding the price increase of the popular weight loss drug Mounjaro in the UK, has sparked concern amongst patients, who are rushing to secure the weight loss drug ahead of the 170 percent price increase.
Mounjaro drug manufacturer Eli Lily came under pressure after US President Donald Trump pressed global pharmaceutical companies to cut US drug costs by late September.
Mounjaro was launched in the UK at a significantly lower price than the European average to reduce the burden on the NHS. Eli Lily has stated that the price increase is intended to ensure that the prices in the UK are more in line with other European countries, in order to reduce US prices.
As of 1 September 2025, a month’s supply of the highest dose of Mounjaro will increase from £122 to £330.
What are the alternatives to Mounjaro?
The sales of popular weight loss drug Ozempic, also known as Wegovy, are reportedly up by between 500 to 600 per cent in the UK. Wegovy, which will now be around half the price of Mounjaro, is the brand name for semaglutide, a GLP-1 medication for weight loss, manufactured by Novo Nordisk, the Danish company behind Ozempic.
Similar to Mounjaro, Wegovy works by mimicking the natural hormone GLP-1 to reduce appetite and slow down digestion.
A study in May 2025, from the New England Journal of Medicine, found that Mounjaro reduced people with obesity’s body weight by just over 20% whereas Wegovy cut it by nearly 14%
Patients can consider alternatives such as “lifestyle interventions, nutritionally tailored diets, physical activity plans, behavioural therapy, and sleep optimisation remain foundational,” suggests Dr Mayoni Gooneratne, founder and CEO of Human Health.
“Other approved weight loss medications may be used if accessible and safe. In some cases, clinically supervised devices, endoscopic procedures, or bariatric surgery may be appropriate.”
“Patients can also try a holistic approach; supporting gut health, hormonal balance, and metabolic optimisation.”
Getting Mounjaro on the NHS
Patients who receive Mounjaro through the NHS will not be affected, and the price hike will only impact private buyers. Mounjaro is currently the only weight loss injection set to increase in price.
Patients can request Mounjaro through the NHS, however they have to meet certain qualifications including:
-
Over the age of 18
-
BMI over 40
Alongside age and BMI, patients must have four or more of the following diagnosed conditions:
- Type 2 diabetes
-
Hypertension
-
Cardiovascular disease
-
Obstructive sleep apnoea
-
Dyslipidaemia
What will this price increase mean for customers?
“The price hikes to mounjaro are likely to be prohibitively expensive for most patients. In my practice, I anticipate we will be moving back to Wegovy or off-licence Ozempic. That said, there are other drugs which are currently in the approval phases and likely to be brought to market soon, so the current situation could be short-lived,” shares nurse practitioner Tracey Denninson.
“Higher prices can limit access for patients - they may reduce dosage, self-administer doses, skip doses, or discontinue treatment entirely, which can compromise effectiveness and increase the risk of weight gain,” adds Dr Gooneratne
“Equally, it will ensure the minimum effective dose will be used, rather than the higher doses that I have seen many patients use. This means there will be less reliance on medicine and a greater focus on lifestyle tools.”
“The price increases disproportionately affect lower-income patients, creating a treatment gap. Traditionally, we know that these are the most vulnerable and likely to develop metabolic and chronic diseases. Wealthier patients can maintain access, while disadvantaged populations may experience worsening metabolic health.”
Could the price hike increase demand for counterfeit or unregulated weight loss injections?
As Mounjaro becomes less accessible for many patients, there is a concern that people will turn to more affordable, counterfeit weight loss injections.
“There will be an increased drive for cheaper alternatives, which can include counterfeit, black-market, or unregulated products. These can contain incorrect doses, harmful additives, or contaminants, posing serious health risks,” explains Dr Gooneratne.
What are the potential consequences for those unable to keep purchasing Mounjaro?
“Discontinuation can lead to weight regain, worsening metabolic health, and possible rebound effects, such as blood sugar fluctuations and increased appetite. A lot of these patients are going to risk a lot of demotivation after finding something which finally works for them,” shares Dr Gooneratne.
“I think that the worst consequences are likely to hit those patients who have simply bought a pen and have not been managed on a medically assisted weight management program. They will not be prepared for the rebound hunger and result in weight gain, which is likely to happen without proper support if they discontinue the medication,” adds Denninson.
You might also like to read Trading Standards calls for urgent regulation of fat injections, fillers and anti-wrinkle injections
