A mother of two from Manchester has disclosed that she uses her entire Universal Credit and Child Benefit payments to fund weight loss injections, arguing that the expense is justified as it improves her parenting. Vicky Lynnson, 41, spends £160 monthly on Mounjaro, a medication that has helped her lose three stone in five months, dropping from 16st 9lbs to 13st 3lbs.
Lynnson, who lives with her sons aged eight and three in a council house costing £495 per month, receives just over £1,700 in Universal Credit and £187 in Child Benefit. Despite the significant sum, she says she must carefully manage her finances to afford the jabs. From September, the wholesale price of Mounjaro is set to rise by up to 170%, with her 12.5mg dose increasing from £122 to £330 per month, adding £2,496 annually.
To stockpile the medication, Lynnson used all of her Universal Credit last month and also sells secondhand clothes on Vinted. She acknowledges that the cost exceeds her grocery bill but insists it is a worthwhile investment. 'Some people waste their UC on booze and fags; this is a much better use of the money,' she told The Sun. 'Going private helps taxpayers as I'm not clogging up the NHS.'
Lynnson, who has struggled with her weight since her teenage years, believes the medication makes her a better mother. 'I’m a better mum now because I am healthier and happier,' she said. Currently, nearly half of Mounjaro users pay between £150 and £199 per month, but the price hike is prompting many to consider alternatives like Wegovy. According to the British Heart Foundation, Mounjaro reduces body weight by just over 20%, while Wegovy achieves nearly 14%.
Jason Murphy, Head of Pharmacy at Chemist4U, commented: 'With Mounjaro’s price rise looming, it’s not surprising that patients are exploring alternatives. Wegovy offers a safe, less expensive and almost equal solution.'
