Eli Lilly Raises Mounjaro Prices in UK to Lower US Costs
Eli Lilly has announced a substantial increase in the price of its weight-loss drug, Mounjaro, in the United Kingdom. This move aims to reduce prices in the United States following pressure from the Trump administration. Starting in September, the cost for a month’s supply of the highest dose of Mounjaro will rise from £122 (approximately $165) to £330 (around $447), marking a significant 170% increase.
While the price hike will affect private supply options, Eli Lilly confirmed that prices for Mounjaro accessed through the NHS, the UK’s public health service, will remain unchanged. Approximately 220,000 patients in the UK are expected to obtain Mounjaro through the NHS in the first three years post-launch. Private suppliers will retain the ability to negotiate prices with Eli Lilly to secure discounts for their clients.
In response to the announcement, Juniper, a private weight-loss clinic in the UK, suggested that Mounjaro patients consider transitioning to Wegovy, a competing weight-loss injection produced by Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk.
Pricing Strategy and Global Market Dynamics
A spokesperson for Eli Lilly stated that the initial UK pricing was set significantly lower than the European average to facilitate timely availability through the NHS upon the drug’s introduction. “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,” the spokesperson explained.
US pharmaceutical companies, including Eli Lilly, have faced mounting pressure from President Donald Trump regarding the disparity in drug prices between the United States and Europe. Trump has accused international markets of “freeloading” off American innovation. Eli Lilly emphasized its commitment to maintaining the United States as a leader in drug research and manufacturing. The company noted that it has intensified efforts to standardize prices across developed countries, particularly in Europe.
“This rebalancing may be difficult, but it means the prices for medicines paid by governments and health systems need to increase in other developed markets like Europe in order to make them lower in the US,” the company stated.
Political Pressure and Market Reactions
In July 2023, Trump sent letters to 17 major pharmaceutical companies, including Eli Lilly, urging them to lower prescription drug prices in the United States. At that time, Chris Meekins, managing director of health policy research at Raymond James, commented that while Trump’s pressure could lead to price increases or delayed access to drugs abroad, it was unlikely to provide direct benefits to American consumers.
Trump signed an executive order in May aimed at reconciling US and European drug prices under a “Most Favored Nation” rule. Although several experts indicated that Trump has limited legal authority to compel drugmakers to lower domestic prices, his actions reflect a strong political will that might encourage voluntary changes in pricing strategies.
The president has been particularly vocal about the pricing of weight-loss medications. In May, he recounted a conversation with a friend who expressed frustration over the cost discrepancies between the UK and the US for what Trump termed the “fat shot drug.” Trump highlighted that the same medication was priced at $88 in the UK while costing $1,300 in New York, questioning the rationale behind such a stark difference.
As Eli Lilly implements its pricing strategy, the implications for patients and the competitive landscape of weight-loss drugs remain to be seen.
