UK pharmacies will offer discounts on the weight loss jab Mounjaro when a major price increase takes effect next week. Patients using the medication could save more than £80 on the maximum dose despite the significant price rise.
The discount mechanism will partially offset a dramatic price hike announced by manufacturer Eli Lilly. The company had planned to increase UK list prices by up to 170% from September 1, which would have sent the highest dose from £122 to £330 monthly.
Pharmacy discount details
With the planned rebates, the 15mg dose of Mounjaro will rise from £122 monthly to £247.50 instead of the full £330 increase. Pharmacy leaders said the discount will "mitigate some of the impact" of the hike, though patients should "still anticipate seeing a rise in prices".
An Eli Lilly spokesperson said: "We are working with private providers on commercial arrangements to maintain affordability and expect these to be passed on to patients when the change is effective on September 1. We are already seeing providers respond in different ways to the list price change, with a range of options available for eligible patients."
Industry response
Olivier Picard, chairman of the National Pharmacy Association, said: "Pricing is a matter for the manufacturers and pharmacies will do all they can to support patients when prices change. This rebate will mitigate some of the impact of the increase in Mounjaro prices faced by pharmacies but patients should still anticipate seeing a rise in prices from September 1."
He added that prices advertised in many pharmacies will already reflect the discount, though pharmacies will have to wait to receive rebates retrospectively after dispensing. Pharmacies are working to explore options that minimise disruption to treatment programmes.
Supply concerns
The price change follows reports that Eli Lilly told British wholesalers to stop taking orders amid soaring demand before the price hike. Orders are set to resume on September 1, with the company maintaining "allocations in place for pharmacies and providers that order stock from us, to manage our supply and ensure patients maintain access".
The company noted that legal protections enforced by the MHRA prevent inappropriate stockpiling of medicines by providers. A spokesperson said: "We encourage patients to only order based on their current treatment plan, to reduce the risk of localised disruption."
Sources used: "Sky News", "PA Media", "MyLondon", "Birminghammail", "Independent" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
