Mounjaro MARKUP
Editorial assistant Connie Cooper spoke to our experts about how the price increase of weight loss drug Mounjaro will impact patient accessibility and safety
As of September 1, 2025, a month’s supply of the highest dose of Mounjaro has increased from £122 to £330. The news of the 170% price increase of the popular weight loss drug has sparked concern amongst patients and professionals.
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 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 will align the UK with other European countries, in order to reduce US prices.
EXPLORING THE ALTERNATIVES TO MOUNJARO
Sales of other GLP-1 medications reportedly increased by between 500-600%.
Wegovy, which is now 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 (only licensed in the UK for diabetes).
Similar to Mounjaro, Wegovy mimics 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 body weight in people with obesity 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”, suggests Dr Mayoni Gooneratne, founder and chief executive 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,” Dr Gooneratne continues. “Patients can also try a holistic approach; supporting gut health, hormonal balance, and metabolic optimisation.”
ACCESSING MOUNJARO THROUGH THE NHS
Mounjaro is currently the only weight loss injection set to increase in price, however, patients who receive it through the NHS will not be affected.
Patients can request Mounjaro through the NHS, provided they meet the eligibility criteria, which includes: being over 18 years of age, having a BMI over 40, and having four or more of the following diagnosed conditions: type two diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular disease, obstructive sleep apnoea and dyslipidaemia.
WHAT THE PRICE INCREASE MEANS FOR PATIENTS
“The price hikes are likely to be prohibitively expensive for most patients. I anticipate that we will be moving back to Wegovy or off-licence Ozempic. There are other drugs in the approval phases which are likely to be brought to market soon, so the current situation could be short-lived,” shares nurse practitioner Tracey Dennison.
“Higher prices can limit access for patients, who 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 many patients use. This means there will be less reliance on medicine and a greater focus on lifestyle.
“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.”
THE RISK OF COUNTERFEIT WEIGHT LOSS INJECTIONS
As Mounjaro becomes less accessible, 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.
THE IMPACT OF LOSING ACCESS
“Discontinuation can lead to weight regain, worsening metabolic health, and possible rebound effects. Many patients are going to risk a lot of demotivation after finding something which works for them,” shares Dr Gooneratne.
“The worst consequences are likely to hit 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 weight gain,” adds Dennison.