Mounjaro price may push some to black market - GP

Dr Liz Donald specialises in weight loss injections

A Shropshire GP has said many patients are worried about having to stop their weight loss journey as the cost of Mounjaro is set to rise.

People paying privately for the drug in the UK face the hike after manufacturer Eli Lilly said it was increasing the list price of the drug by as much as 170%, adding patients currently pay fees "significantly below" those paid in European countries.

Dr Liz Donald, who specialises in weight loss at a private clinic in Bridgnorth, said some people were very concerned "they simply can't afford the price increases".

"I think this will push some people over to the black market, I do not think there's a shadow of a doubt about that," she said.

"With changes in the environment and new clinical evidence supporting the value of Mounjaro, we are now aligning the list price more consistently to ensure fair global contributions to the cost of innovation," Eli Lilly said.

It means the suggested price for a month's supply of the highest dose of the drug will rise from £122 to £330, although the rise for lower doses will be smaller.

It does not affect the price the NHS pays, as the service has negotiated a heavily discounted rate for those getting the drug on prescription.

Dr Liz is worried the move will price most people out of the market.

"I have patients who have to pay every month and stagger their payments, but pharmacies won't allow for that", she said.

"There are a lot of people out there struggling with their weight, and what we have to remember is that it is a disease, it isn't people being vain."

Currently there are thought to be around 1.5 million people on weight loss drugs in the UK

The weekly injection works by making people feel full so they eat less food.

Ad, 37, from Telford, a dad of two young children, has been using Mounjaro for seven weeks as a private patient.

"About 12 years ago, I managed to lose quite a lot of weight and then, quite rapidly, put it right back on," he said.

"I had [lost weight] through exercise and healthy eating, and since then I have yo-yo'd up and down."

Since starting Mounjaro, Ad has lost two stone (12.7kg).

"I was definitely a binge eater, I was a chocolate addict and I haven't touched a piece of chocolate since starting Mounjaro," he said.

The weekly injection works by making people feel full so they eat less

"There's a lifestyle change that's come with it," Ad explained.

It is something his partner Nicola has noticed too.

"What I've seen over the last seven weeks has been a massive improvement, he jumps around with the children like I've never seen him before," she said.

But Nicola said the upcoming price rise was a concern.

"I think for us we have got childcare costs, I am going back to work next month, so we will have some more income coming in but it has been a tough slog," she said.

"And we do need to weigh up whether we can afford it."