Shipments of Weight-Loss Jab Mounjaro Paused Ahead of Price Hike
Eli Lilly, the U.S. pharmaceutical giant behind the weight-loss drug Mounjaro, has temporarily halted shipments of the jab to UK wholesalers, triggering fresh concerns among patients and pharmacies already struggling to secure supply. The pause comes just days before a steep price rise—up to 170% on higher dosages—is due to take effect on September 1, 2025.
What is Mounjaro?
Mounjaro, also known as tirzepatide, is one of the newest and most effective medications in the growing class of injectable weight-loss and diabetes drugs. Unlike rival treatments such as Ozempic and Wegovy, which mimic the GLP-1 hormone, Mounjaro also targets the GIP receptor. This dual action helps control blood sugar levels while significantly reducing appetite, making it a powerful option for people with type 2 diabetes as well as those battling obesity.
Since its launch in the UK, demand has soared. When the NHS began offering Mounjaro on prescription in June 2025, health experts hailed it as a breakthrough with the potential to reduce obesity-related illnesses and ease long-term strain on the health service. Crucially, the forthcoming price hike will not affect NHS patients, whose supply is secured through a fixed-price agreement with Eli Lilly. But for those purchasing it privately through pharmacies or online clinics, the cost increase could put the drug out of reach.
Details of the Price Hike
Eli Lilly confirmed that from September 1, the list price of Mounjaro will rise dramatically across all dosage levels. The highest dose will climb from around £122 to £330 per month, while even the lowest 5mg dose will nearly double, rising from £92 to £180. The company argues that the changes bring UK prices in line with the rest of Europe and reflect updated evidence on the drug’s effectiveness.
Analysts, however, point out that the hike also coincides with political pressure from the United States, where President Donald Trump has called on drugmakers to reduce domestic prices by charging more in foreign markets. Critics say British patients are effectively being used to subsidize U.S. price cuts.
Why Shipments Were Paused
In the days leading up to the increase, Eli Lilly ordered its UK wholesalers to pause new orders of Mounjaro. Officially, the move was described as a supply management measure to prevent stockpiling before the higher prices take effect. Pharmacies will be able to resume ordering on September 1 under the new pricing schedule.
For many patients, however, the pause has caused disruption. Several high-street chains, including Boots and Superdrug, as well as online pharmacies, have reported limited or no stock. Some providers, such as Simple Online Pharmacy, have restricted access to existing patients only, limiting supplies to four weeks per person and halting new registrations altogether.
Patient Impact and Panic Buying
The uncertainty has fueled panic buying, with some individuals stockpiling several months’ worth of injections before the price surge. One patient admitted spending nearly £700 on advance supplies to avoid regaining weight after hard-earned progress. Others fear they will be forced off treatment entirely, jeopardizing both their health and wellbeing.
Demand for alternatives has also spiked. Prescriptions for Wegovy, another weight-loss jab, reportedly jumped by over 2,000% in August as patients scrambled to secure substitutes. This shift risks creating fresh shortages in an already strained market.
Safety Concerns and Black Market Risks
Pharmacists and regulators have warned of the risks posed by desperate patients turning to unregulated sources. In recent months, Border Force has seized thousands of counterfeit Mounjaro and Ozempic pens entering the UK. Dr. Leyla Hannbeck, chief executive of the Independent Pharmacies Association, criticized Eli Lilly’s approach, calling the pause and price hike “deeply destabilizing” and warning that patient safety is being overlooked in pursuit of profits.
Wider Implications
While NHS patients will remain insulated from the price hike, the change is likely to deepen health inequalities between those able to access public prescriptions and those reliant on private care. Many people using private routes do so because NHS access is tightly rationed to specific eligibility groups, meaning the price increase could shut them out entirely.
At the same time, the pause in shipments has highlighted the fragility of the UK’s weight-loss drug supply chain. With obesity rates rising and demand for such treatments showing no signs of slowing, experts warn that without coordinated policy and supply management, shortages, black-market risks, and price shocks will continue to plague patients.
Looking Ahead
Shipments of Mounjaro are expected to resume on September 1, 2025, when the new prices officially take effect. Whether the pause was a temporary disruption or the beginning of deeper supply issues remains to be seen. What is clear is that Mounjaro, once hailed as a game-changing treatment, has become the center of a growing battle over affordability, access, and the ethics of drug pricing.
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