Major UK pharmacy chains are experiencing nationwide shortages of the weight-loss drug Mounjaro after manufacturer Eli Lilly announced a 170 per cent price increase effective September. The highest dose will rise from £122 to £330 per month, triggering panic buying across the country.
Superdrug, Boots, and Lloyds Pharmacy are all reporting stock shortages as patients rush to stockpile supplies before the price hike takes effect. Social media users have openly discussed bulk buying strategies despite warnings from Eli Lilly and the National Pharmacy Association against such behaviour.
The surge in demand has overwhelmed pharmacy supply chains nationwide. Superdrug's website shows "out of stock due to a national shortage" while prioritising existing patients over new orders.
Pharmacy Response
Superdrug said it is "working hard to fulfil all orders" and hopes to accept new customers next week. The company is prioritising medication orders for existing patients using their weight loss services due to "extremely high demand nationwide."
Lloyds Pharmacy has suspended new prescriptions for higher dosage pens of 10mg, 12.5mg and 15mg. Boots Online Doctor shows no availability for doses of 7.5mg and above, affecting patients who typically progress from the starter dose of 2.5mg weekly.
Well Pharmacy, the UK's second largest chain, reports "intermittent" supply from wholesalers. Clinical product manager Mital Thakrar said the company is "working hard with wholesalers and manufacturers to maintain stock supply."
Industry Emergency Measures
BBC reports that Eli Lilly has implemented an order freeze through UK distributors from August 27th until September 1st to prevent further stockpiling. The company has established allocation systems for providers to manage supply and ensure patient access.
Online pharmacies have introduced emergency restrictions to manage the crisis. Simple Online Pharmacy has paused sales to new patients and limited existing customers to four-week supplies, while Pharmacy 2U reports the initial surge has calmed.
National Pharmacy Association chairman Olivier Picard described the situation as "dire" with wholesalers "capping or preventing orders for higher doses." He warned that bulk buying poses patient safety risks through reduced medical monitoring.
Alternative Options
Sales of rival weight-loss drug Wegovy have soared 2,600 per cent at some suppliers as patients seek cheaper alternatives costing from £85 monthly. Healthcare provider Second Nature is absorbing the Mounjaro price increases to protect patients, according to Daily Record reports.
Patients switching between medications are advised to take a week's break for safety. Demand for all GLP-1 medications including both drugs has increased 400 per cent since the price rise announcement.
Eli Lilly cited alignment with European market prices and political pressure from US President Donald Trump to keep American pharmaceutical costs low as reasons for the UK increase.
Sources used: "The Independent", "BBC", "Daily Mail", "Daily Record" Note: This article has been edited with the help of Artificial Intelligence.
