Key Points:
- UK pharmacies face Mounjaro shortages as users stockpile ahead of a 170% price hike.
- Eli Lilly paused new orders to manage supply and urged patients to follow prescribed doses.
- Demand for alternatives like Wegovy surged, while bulk buying raises safety concerns.
The manufacturer of the weight-loss injection Mounjaro has temporarily suspended sales to UK wholesalers following an unprecedented surge in demand, as users stockpiled the medication ahead of a steep price increase. Major pharmacies, including Boots, Lloyds, and Superdrug, have reported shortages, leaving many patients struggling to access the drug.
Eli Lilly, the US-based company behind the weight-loss injection Mounjaro, announced that the cost of the medication will rise by 170 percent in the UK starting in September, increasing a month’s supply of the highest dose from £122 to £330. The company instructed British wholesalers to pause new orders until Monday to manage supply amid what it described as “unprecedented demand.”
Social media posts indicate that many users ordered the drug in bulk to avoid the upcoming price hike, despite warnings from Eli Lilly and the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) against stockpiling. Superdrug reported that Mounjaro was out of stock nationwide and said it is prioritizing ongoing patient prescriptions while hoping to resume new orders next week.
Pharmacies Struggle to Maintain Stock
Lloyds Pharmacy reported shortages for higher-dose Mounjaro pens of 10mg, 12.5mg, and 15mg, while Boots Online Doctor listed multiple dosages as unavailable. Well Pharmacy, the UK’s second-largest chain, said supplies have been intermittent, although it currently has stock to meet ongoing prescriptions.
Online providers are also affected. Pharmacy 2U noted a short-term surge in demand, while Simple Online Pharmacy temporarily paused sales to new patients and limited purchases to a four-week supply per patient. The pharmacy also highlighted an increase in orders for Wegovy, a lower-cost alternative, which rose by 2,600 percent at one supplier after the Mounjaro price announcement.
Abdal Alvi, chief clinical officer at Simple Online Healthcare, said demand for GLP-1 medications, which include both Mounjaro and Wegovy, has increased by 400 percent since news of the price hike emerged. Olivier Picard of the NPA cautioned that bulk buying could severely affect supply and pose risks to patient safety, especially if medications are purchased from unlicensed sellers.
Price Hike Influenced by Global Market Pressures
Eli Lilly said the price increase aligns UK costs more closely with its European markets and follows political pressure from the US to maintain lower domestic prices. The company emphasized that legal protections are in place to prevent inappropriate stockpiling and urged patients to order only according to their current treatment plan.
Patients typically start weight-loss injection Mounjaro with a weekly 2.5mg dose as part of a structured weight-loss plan before moving to higher dosages. Pharmacies are prioritizing continuity of care, ensuring that existing patients can access their prescriptions despite the supply challenges.
The current shortage highlights ongoing pressures in the UK weight-loss medication market, with both patients and providers navigating significant disruptions ahead of the official price adjustment.
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