States hopeful diabetes patients spared price hike

The States says those on Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes will likely continue to pay the £4.90 prescription charge

The States of Guernsey is "hopeful" islanders who are prescribed Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes through community pharmacies will not be affected by financial increases.

Eli Lilly, the company behind the drug made popular for weight loss, has offered discounted deals to UK suppliers to limit the price increase to consumers from September.

The States said it had no automatic entitlement to NHS discounts so it was unclear how much it would have to pay for the drug, although it was hopeful an agreement could be reached.

Guernsey doctor Mayoni Gooneratne said the incoming price increases of £122 to £330 for a month's supply would cause a wealth divide in healthcare.

The Prescribing Support Unit said those who were prescribed Mounjaro, also known as Tirzepatide, for type 2 diabetes would most likely continue to pay the prescription charge of £4.90 per item.

It said: "Details of these arrangements are complex, commercially confidential, and are yet to be finalised.

"At this point we don't anticipate having to make changes to the local guidelines on the use of Tirzepatide for type 2 diabetes."

The States said: "Having had discussions with Lilly, the Prescribing Support Unit is hopeful that an agreement can be reached to maintain patient access in Guernsey for States prescriptions dispensed via the islands' community pharmacies for type 2 diabetes."

The unit added it was "unable to comment further" until an agreement was finalised.

It added: "Any such agreement would only apply to publicly funded treatment when prescribed for the management of type 2 diabetes.

"Health & Social Care has no involvement in pricing when the drug is prescribed privately for weight management and so is unable to comment on this."

Private pharmacies in Guernsey that were contacted said they were unable to comment at this stage.