'Fat jab' Mounjaro to triple in price from September costing thousands

'Fat jab' manufacturer Lilly announced plans to increase the price it charges private providers in the UK.

They said it would bring the drug's price in line with "other developed countries".

Lilly also pointed out that the effectiveness of the jabs proves its "value".

A 15mg KwikPen, the highest dose available and enough for four weekly shots, will increase from £122 to £330.

The company said the cost of a 2.5mg pen, the lowest dose available, will rise from £92 to £133 from September 1.

It means the annual cost of the 15mg dose will increase from £1,586 a year to £4,290.

Dr Leyla Hannbeck, chief executive of the Independent Pharmacies Association, which represents thousands of community pharmacies, said: "We are shocked and very disappointed by this huge more than doubling of the wholesale cost of Mounjaro by the manufacturer Eli Lilly."

Read More: Britain will be ‘fat free’ in decade with more given access to fat jabs to save NHS cash

"British patients must not become pawns in a wider dispute about the costs of medicines arising from President Trump's recent letter to the US drug manufacturers," she told Mailonline.

US President Donald Trump claimed that Americans pay more for drugs than other nations as they supposedly "subsidise the health care of foreign countries".

The jab works by targeting the GLP-1 receptors using the active drug tirzepatide, which suppress appetite.

Some patients report losing 20 per cent of their body weight over 72 weeks.

The price the NHS pays for the jab will not change and Lilly is negotiating prices individually with private providers.

The firm said it is down to pharmacies to set the price they charge, potentially including processing and consultation fees.

A Lilly spokesperson said: "Following a review, Lilly will increase the UK list price for Mounjaro (tirzepatide) from 1 September to address pricing inconsistencies compared to other developed countries, including in Europe.

"In parallel, we have reached an agreement with the NHS to ensure continued supply and patient access.

"While Lilly does not determine the prices that private healthcare providers set, we are working with them to maintain patient access.

"The UK was one of the first countries where Lilly launched Mounjaro, and our priority was to bring it to patients as quickly as possible during a time of limited supply of GLP-1 RA treatments for type 2 diabetes.

"At launch, Lilly agreed to a UK list price that is significantly below the European average to prevent delays in NHS availability.

"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."

An NHS England spokesperson said: "Licensed, cost-effective weight loss medication, such as tirzepatide (Mounjaro) provides a valuable tool to support people to reach a healthier weight and the wider health and lifestyle benefits that offers.

"The approved list price increase will not affect NHS commissioning of tirzepatide in England for eligible people living with obesity, based on clinical priority, or as a treatment for type 2 diabetes.

"Anyone with questions about their private tirzepatide prescription should contact their private provider."