Eli Lilly has announced a sharp increase in the UK list price of its weight loss drug Mounjaro, with a month's supply of the highest dose rising from £122 to £330, an increase of up to 170%. The move follows pressure from US President Donald Trump, who has demanded that pharmaceutical companies lower prices for Americans, often by raising them in other countries.
Mounjaro, which contains tirzepatide and is self-administered as a weekly injection, was launched in the UK in February 2024 at a list price 'significantly below' other European markets to ensure NHS availability. Eli Lilly said the new price aligns it 'more consistently' with other markets, but confirmed the NHS will not pay the higher rate, ensuring continued access for patients with obesity and type 2 diabetes.
Trump has threatened to use 'every tool in our arsenal' to crack down on drug pricing disparities, noting that the US pays about three times more for drugs than other developed countries. In July, he sent letters to 17 major drugmakers, including Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk, demanding price cuts for Americans within 60 days, warning of potential retaliation if they refuse.
The pharmaceutical industry has seen huge profits from weight loss treatments, with Novo Nordisk's Wegovy turning the Danish firm into one of Europe's most valuable companies. Both Eli Lilly and Novo Nordisk are racing to develop oral alternatives to injections, which could be cheaper and more convenient. Eli Lilly recently reported that a pill in early trials led to 12.4% weight loss, while Novo Nordisk has submitted its oral drug for US approval.
