weight loss
∙5 minute read
Published 18/08/2025
From September, UK patients paying privately for Mounjaro - the weekly tirzepatide injection - will see significant price hikes, with some doses more than doubling.
So why is this happening, and what does it mean for those currently on or considering treatment?
When Mounjaro first launched in the UK in early 2024, it became one of the first countries outside the US to access it. At the time, the manufacturer agreed to set the UK’s list price much lower than in other developed countries.
Why? Three main reasons:
To make sure the NHS could access supply quickly, avoiding long delays for eligible patients.
To help ease NHS pressures and waiting lists by making private access more affordable during a period when there was a global shortage of similar medicines.
To compete with the manufacturers of Wegovy (semaglutide), which gained its license for the treatment of obesity in the UK in December 2023.
This meant UK private prices were far below those in places like Germany, Australia, and the US. But that difference has now been targeted as part of a wider global push to “align” medicine prices between countries.
The immediate trigger for the change comes from political pressure in the US. American leaders have long argued that high US drug prices are effectively subsidising lower prices elsewhere. In recent weeks, that pressure intensified, with calls for drug manufacturers to charge other countries more so that it aligns with US pricing.
It’s worth remembering that Mounjaro isn’t the only prescription option. For those who are clinically eligible, Wegovy remains available at its current price in the UK. Like Mounjaro, it’s a once-weekly GLP-1 injection used for obesity management and has been extensively studied in people living with excess weight.
For many, the day-to-day experience of taking Wegovy feels very familiar: the same weekly rhythm, the same injection format, and the same focus on combining treatment with healthy lifestyle changes. For that reason, moving across can often feel less like starting something new and more like continuing along the same path with a different version of a treatment you already know.
Of course, whether Wegovy is right for you is something to be decided with a healthcare professional. Your medical history, treatment goals, and how you’ve responded to medication in the past will all help guide the choice.
If you’re currently paying privately for Mounjaro, it’s worth:
Speaking to your provider: They may be able to offer a discount or phased dose adjustment if clinically appropriate.
Reviewing your treatment plan: Discuss whether continuing, switching, or pausing is the right option for you.
Considering alternatives: Wegovy or other approved weight loss medications might still meet your needs.
Avoiding unlicensed sources: Buying medicines from unauthorised sellers is illegal, risky, and dangerous.
In short, no. The price increase affects the list price paid privately, not the amount agreed under NHS supply arrangements. Patients receiving tirzepatide on the NHS for obesity or type 2 diabetes will not be affected by this change.
You may be able to get tirzepatide from your GP if:
Your BMI is 40 or above, and
You have at least four health conditions linked to weight, such as:
Type 2 diabetes
High blood pressure
Heart disease
Abnormal cholesterol or blood fats
Obstructive sleep apnoea (a sleep-related breathing problem)
If you have at least four of these conditions but your BMI is below 40, you might still qualify depending on your ethnic background. This is because some groups, including South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African, or African-Caribbean, can be at higher risk of weight-related health problems at lower BMIs.
For those buying privately, the actual price can vary between providers. Some pharmacies and clinics are working hard to keep increases to a minimum by negotiating directly with suppliers, although how much they can do depends on factors like supply agreements, order volumes, and operational costs. Others may have to adjust prices more in line with the new wholesale rates.
The upcoming Mounjaro price rise is part of a much bigger picture involving global medicine pricing, political negotiations, and market realignments. While NHS patients won’t see a change, those paying privately may face a significant jump.
If you’re affected, the best next step is to have an open conversation with your Numan clinician. There are still effective, licensed treatments available in the UK, and the right choice will depend on your health needs, goals, and circumstances.
Written by Hassan Thwaini
Clinical Pharmacist and Copywriter, Master of Pharmacy (MPharm)
