Lilly's Mounjaro Price Hike Stokes Affordability Concerns for UK Patients

As of August 14th, 2025, pharmaceutical company Lilly has increased the UK list price of its weight-loss drug Mounjaro, raising concerns over patient affordability.

When Lilly first launched Mounjaro in the UK, the company had agreed to a price significantly below the European average in order to speed up availability through the National Health Service (NHS). However, Lilly now says it is "aligning the list price more consistently to ensure fair global contributions to the cost of innovation."

This price hike has drawn strong criticism from the Independent Pharmacies Association. Its head, Dr. Leyla Hannbeck, expressed being "shocked and very disappointed" by the move, calling it a "real blow to patients at a time when more and more people, worried about their weight, are turning to jabs."

Hannbeck urged patients already taking Mounjaro to consult their local pharmacies before taking any action. She also advised those considering weight-loss injections not to be discouraged, as Mounjaro is not the only option available. Hannbeck emphasized the importance of other manufacturers holding their nerve and maintaining affordable prices for the growing UK weight-loss drug market.

Despite Lilly's justification of "changes in the environment and new clinical evidence," the price hike is likely to limit access to Mounjaro for average patients, according to experts. As the demand for weight-loss treatments continues to rise, ensuring affordability will be crucial for the market to achieve sustainable growth.