Weight-loss medication in the UK is going to make both people and their wallets lighter.

Why is Eli Lilly raising the cost of Mounjaro in the UK?

Eli Lilly announced that it will raise the list price of Mounjaro in the UK by 170%. ¹ This news comes on the heels of a report that certain pharma companies have been having conversations with the White House about raising drug prices abroad to meet the requirements for the President’s MFN order. It’s important to note, however, that Eli Lilly was not confirmed to be a part of those discussions and the latest price increase in the UK is part of a complex situation that doesn’t have any obvious connections to the MFN situation unfolding in the US.

According to Reuters, the price increase will bring Mounjaro’s list price in line with other European markets. Starting in September of this year, the weight loss and diabetes medication will cost £330 for the highest dose (roughly $446). The medication previously cost £122 for the highest dose (about $165). For comparison, the list price for Mounjaro in the United States is $1,079.77-per-fill.²

These prices, however, are list prices and Eli Lilly offers a variety of savings programs, rebates, and discounts in both the UK and the United States.

According to Reuters, Lilly’s reasoning for the price increase is just to bring the medication to a similar list price with other European markets. The drug maker also says that it has reached an agreement the UK’s NHS to maintain the continued supply of the medication for the region. Reuters also reports that NHS has clarified that the price change will not change the drug’s availability to people obtaining it through state-run health services for obesity or type 2 diabetes treatments.

The initial list price in the UK was reportedly set to a significantly lower price than other regions in order to assure availability through Britain’s NHS.

The timing of the announcement, however, does raise some questions. Earlier this month, President Trump published letters to 17 major pharma companies demanding that they work with the government to meet the demands of his previous MFN executive order, which said that drug prices in the US must be as low as (if not lower) they are in other countries or regions. The list of pharma companies includes Eli Lilly.

Rival GLP-1 maker Novo Nordisk is also on the list, along with AbbVie, Merck, Pfizer, Astra Zeneca, and other major pharma companies.

The increased price of the drug in the UK is still significantly lower than it is in the United States. Also, because of potential rebates and discounts, it’s possible that patients may not feel the full brunt of the increase.

Reports have surfaced, however, of pharma representatives meeting with officials at the White House to discuss increasing drug prices abroad. The wording of the President’s MFN order makes it possible to meet its demands by increasing prices abroad. Also, the main argument that the industry has made against the MFN order is that drug prices in the US create an innovation-friendly environment in the country. The report suggests that some drug makers may be looking to offset price decreases in the US by slightly raising costs in other regions.

Further complicating the situation is the fact that President Trump has discussed plans to implement tariffs on pharmaceutical goods. This would make reducing costs even more difficult.

Over the past several years, GLP-1s have incredibly successful at treating obesity. Studies have shown, however, that patients who stop taking the drugs are likely to experience a rebound effect and regain much of the weight that they lost. A recent report details how patients in the US are reacting to cost increases to the medications, which are becoming more expensive as insurance companies restrict access and coverage. According to the report, many patients are reducing their dosage and abstaining from making other, regular purchases to continue to be able to afford the medication.

Sources

1. Eli Lilly to hike UK price of Mounjaro weight-loss, diabetes medicines by 170%. Eli Lilly. August 14, 2025. https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/eli-lilly-hike-uk-price-mounjaro-weight-loss-diabetes-medicines-by-170-2025-08-14/
2. How much should I expect to pay for Mounjaro® (tirzepatide)? Eli Lilly. https://pricinginfo.lilly.com/mounjaro