In a move that has sent shockwaves through the patient community, pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly has announced a triple whammy of negative changes for users of its popular drug Mounjaro in the UK. The changes include a reduction in the size of the KwikPen delivery device, the complete removal of a crucial mid-level dose, and a massive price increase that will see costs soar by up to 170%.
A Smaller Pen & A Missing Dose
The company confirmed that the new KwikPen for Mounjaro (tirzepatide) will be physically smaller than its predecessor. While Lilly claims this is to improve portability and user experience, the change has been met with scepticism. More critically, the 12.5mg dose pen is being entirely discontinued. This specific dosage is often a vital stepping stone for patients titrating up to the full 15mg maintenance dose, leaving clinicians and users concerned about treatment disruption.
Staggering Price Hike Sparks Fury
Perhaps the most devastating blow is the financial one. Eli Lilly is implementing a price increase that will see the cost of a four-week prescription rocket from £92 to an eye-watering £248. This 170% surge places an enormous burden on private patients and could severely limit access for those not covered by the NHS, where prescribing remains limited.
Supply Woes Continue
This announcement comes against a backdrop of persistent supply shortages for Mounjaro and similar GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, which have seen soaring demand for their weight-loss benefits. The removal of a dose strength is likely to further exacerbate these supply chain issues, creating more uncertainty for those relying on the medication for managing type 2 diabetes and obesity.
The combination of a less effective delivery system, a missing key dose, and a prohibitive price increase represents a significant fresh challenge for thousands of users across the UK, raising serious questions about drug affordability and patient care.
