A price war has erupted among UK pharmacies over the weight-loss drug Mounjaro, as consumers scramble for the best deals following a sharp price increase by manufacturer Eli Lilly. The drugmaker announced earlier this month that it would raise the cost by 170 per cent, aligning UK prices with higher international rates after pressure from US President Donald Trump.
Eli Lilly later offered pharmacies a rebate to mitigate the impact, but customers still face near-doubling of costs. For long-term users on higher doses, this could mean paying over £100 more per month. In response, pharmacies have slashed prices to attract customers.
Asda has emerged as the cheapest provider for a month's supply of the largest 15mg dose, charging £298.97 from Friday. The supermarket said stock bought under the old price had sold out, forcing an early price rise. Simple Online Pharmacy will charge £299.99 from 1 September, up 46 per cent from £204.95, while Boots will increase its price from £249 to £335, saying it is “doing our best” to keep prices fair.
Olivier Picard, chairman of the National Pharmacy Association, noted that advertised prices already reflect the rebate, but pharmacies must wait to receive it retrospectively. Around 1.5 million people in the UK use weight-loss drugs, with over half on Mounjaro, mostly obtained privately through pharmacy programmes.
