Pharmacies across Britain are turning patients away as supplies of the popular weight-loss drug Mounjaro run dry, following a sudden halt in UK deliveries by its manufacturer, Eli Lilly.
Leading online pharmacies, including Superdrug and Medicine Market Place, confirmed they had sold out of Mounjaro less than 24 hours after Eli Lilly paused shipments. The suspension, which took effect on Wednesday night, comes just days ahead of a steep price increase set for September 1.
Sehar Shahid, a board member of the National Pharmacy Association, said that pharmacies were being forced to ration remaining supplies, prioritising existing patients.
“We’re having to give only a month’s supply per patient to ensure everyone gets something,” she said. “Unfortunately, we are having to turn new patients away.”
The move follows Eli Lilly’s announcement that it would raise the price of Mounjaro by up to 170%, bringing UK prices in line with what it charges in other developed countries. From Monday, the cost per injection is expected to rise to between £133 and £330, depending on the dosage, a significant jump from the current range of £92 to £122 for a four-dose injection pen.
While the price hike primarily affects wholesalers, pharmacies have indicated they will need to pass some of the increase onto patients. Some estimates suggest that consumers could see prices rise by around 50%, sparking concerns that thousands of private patients may be priced out of continuing their treatment.
An estimated 1.5 million people in the UK are currently using weight-loss medications, with around 90% paying privately. Of those, more than half are believed to be on Mounjaro, which has earned the nickname “the King Kong of obesity jabs” for its effectiveness with patients losing up to 21% of their body weight, compared to around 15% for rival drug Wegovy.
In light of the shortages and soaring prices, pharmacists say they are now advising patients to consider switching to Wegovy, produced by Novo Nordisk.
Mounjaro is available on the NHS, but only for patients who meet strict eligibility criteria. To qualify, individuals must have a Body Mass Index (BMI) over 40, classifying them as severely obese, and be diagnosed with at least four out of five specified health conditions, such as type 2 diabetes or sleep apnoea.
Eli Lilly has defended the price increase, stating that it needs to bring UK prices in line with international standards after facing political pressure from U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump has called on drug manufacturers to lower costs for American patients and has suggested they offset the cuts by raising prices in foreign markets.
With Mounjaro supplies running low and the cost of treatment rising sharply, UK patients now face uncertainty over access to one of the most effective weight-loss drugs currently available.
