As you may have read, Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of the popular weight loss injection Mounjaro (tirzepatide), has increased the wholesale price of the treatment in the UK. But why has this happened, how much of an increase are we talking about, and how will patients be affected?
In this article, we’ll answer all of those queries about the Mounjaro price increase and advise you on your available options.
How Has Mounjaro’s Price Increased?
On the 14th of August 2025, Eli Lilly announced that people paying privately for Mounjaro will see a price increase across developed markets such as the UK, which could be as much as 170% for the highest maintenance dose of 15 mg. The rise for lower doses is expected to be smaller.
It’s important to note that the Mounjaro price increase will not impact those obtaining the medication on the NHS, as Lilly has already announced an agreement with the UK government to maintain access for NHS patients.
That being said, many people still choose to obtain Mounjaro privately due to the long waiting times and stricter eligibility criteria that come with NHS treatment.
Why Has This Happened?
According to Eli Lilly, the Mounjaro price increase is to make the cost of breakthrough medications more “fairly shared across developed countries”. It comes after the United States government expressed a desire to bring European and US pharmaceutical prices more into line.
In statements to news outlets, Lilly also said that when Mounjaro was first launched in the UK, it agreed a list price that was “significantly below” the European average so that there was no delay to the treatment becoming available on the NHS. However, they were now taking the step of “aligning the list price more consistently to ensure fair global contributions to the cost of innovation”.
It’s also worth pointing out that the price increase has come directly from the manufacturer rather than the actual providers of the medication.
When Will the Mounjaro Price Increase Take Effect?
Mounjaro’s price increase in the UK will come into effect from the 1st of September 2025. The change will impact every patient who purchases Mounjaro privately, whether it is through a private clinic, pharmacy, or online provider such as Prescription Doctor.
How Will This Affect Patients?
When the price increase comes into effect, the cost of Mounjaro will go up across all private providers. For many patients, this may raise concerns about the treatment's affordability and potential future access. As a result, they could decide to look into alternative weight loss medications.
At Prescription Doctor, we are actively reviewing our Mounjaro pricing so that we can still offer the best possible value to customers. Although we will work hard to ensure Mounjaro remains as accessible as possible, alternative treatments may end up being a more affordable option, with Wegovy being the likely frontrunner.
What Your Options Are
At the moment, there are three main options available to you. These are:
- Continue on Mounjaro: Carry on with your Mounjaro schedule as normal. There are no worries about future availability, so you should not experience any difficulties in that regard. The only difference is that you will likely be spending more on your treatment.
- Request Medication Before the Price Increase: Prescription Doctor offers Mounjaro bundles of two pens to cover two titration levels (for example, 10mg & 12.5mg or 12.5mg & 15mg). This could enable you to have more time to think about what you’d like to do with your treatment going forward.
- Change to a New Treatment: Another option is to switch to another weight loss medication that isn’t affected by the Mounjaro price increase, with Wegovy being the most likely option. We’ll explore the different treatments later in this article.
Please note that it’s important to consult a healthcare professional before making any decisions about changing medications. Our specialist clinicians are here to answer any queries you may have and help you make an informed decision.
Wegovy: The Likely Alternative
The Mounjaro price increase is likely to push more people towards Wegovy, a clinically-proven weight loss alternative. Containing the active ingredient, semaglutide, it works by regulating your appetite and food intake.
Like Mounjaro, Wegovy is a once-weekly subcutaneous injection that can deliver some impressive weight loss results in its own right. If you’d like more information about how the two treatments fare against each other, please read our Mounjaro vs Wegovy comparison article.
Why Choose Wegovy?
Although Mounjaro is widely regarded as the most effective weight loss medication, Wegovy is a close second. The STEP 1 clinical trial found that around 30% of patients lost at least 20% of their starting body weight. This is compared to just 1.7% who were given a placebo.
Wegovy also became the first (and currently still the only) weight loss drug to be approved in the UK for people with established cardiovascular disease. This further enhances the potential of Wegovy beyond simply helping people shed pounds.
One of the main reasons that Mounjaro is considered to be more effective than Wegovy for weight loss is that the former has a higher maintenance dose (15 mg of tirzepatide vs 2.4 mg of semaglutide) than the latter. This gap could shorten, however, as Wegovy’s manufacturers have submitted a new 7.2 mg dose to the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
Wegovy
- Approved Weight Loss treatment
- Weekly injection
- Reduces risk of heart attack & stroke
Clinical trials have shown that around a third (33.2%) of patients taking this new strength lost at least 25% of their starting body weight after 72 weeks. This is compared to just 16.7% of those who stuck to the current maximum dose of 2.4 mg.
The final reason you may want to switch from Mounjaro to Wegovy is the cost. Once the new Mounjaro price increase comes into effect, Wegovy could become the most cost-effective option for those looking to lose weight. While pricing is not the be-all and end-all, we recognise that this is still an important factor when deciding which treatment is right for you.
How to Switch to Wegovy
If you do decide to change from Mounjaro to Wegovy, Prescription Doctor is committed to making the process as safe and straightforward as possible. Everyone’s weight loss journey is different, so our experienced clinicians will ensure the process is tailored for your unique circumstances.
Simply request a Wegovy consultation, and our team will review your information to determine the best course of action for you. They’ll look into a number of factors when making this decision, including:
- Your current Mounjaro dose
- If you’ve experienced side effects
- How you’ve been handling the side effects of Mounjaro
- How long you’ve been on Mounjaro treatment, and how you’ve responded so far
What Other Weight Loss Treatments Are Available?
Prescription Doctor is proud to offer a range of other weight loss treatments in addition to Mounjaro and Wegovy. These include:
- Nevolat: A once-daily injection that contains the active ingredient liraglutide. Nevolat is the generic form of a now-discontinued treatment known as Saxenda.
- Xenical: Weight loss capsules that contain 120 mg of their active ingredient orlistat. They work by blocking the absorption of some dietary fat in meals.
- Mysimba: Weight loss tablets that target the brain’s hunger and reward centres to combat cravings and emotional eating.
- Alli: An over-the-counter treatment that contains 60 mg of the active ingredient orlistat.
Mounjaro Price Increase: Frequently Asked Questions
In this section, we’ll answer some frequently asked questions about the Mounjaro price increase.
Does the Price Increase Only Affect Mounjaro?
Yes, Mounjaro is the only weight loss medication that this increase will impact. No other treatment will be affected by the impending changes.
How Will Stocks of Mounjaro Be Affected?
There should be no real issue when it comes to Mounjaro stock levels in the future. This is because the only thing that’s changing is the price, and not the supply of the medication. However, there could be some short-term disruption as people try to secure Mounjaro ahead of the price increase. Prescription Doctor is always monitoring stock levels for all of our treatments to ensure as smooth a service as possible.
Can I Buy Multiple Mounjaro Pens Early?
Prescription Doctor offers bundles of two Mounjaro pens as standard. This enables you to purchase the dosage you currently need, plus the next dose in the titration schedule.
Can I Buy Mounjaro Doses I Don’t Need Yet?
You can only do this if it’s part of your normal titration schedule (as in one dose up or down). It’s not possible to skip a dose or purchase one that is not in line with your current schedule.
Will I Get the Same Side Effects on Wegovy as Mounjaro?
Because Mounjaro and Wegovy both mimic the same hormone, Wegovy side effects are similar to those experienced with Mounjaro. The main differences lie in the fact that some side effects may be more common with one medication than the other.
Can I Switch to Prescription Doctor from Another Provider?
Yes, if you are thinking about changing your weight loss treatment provider, Prescription Doctor is happy to help. We offer a comprehensive consultation service that’s designed around your needs. This includes helping you decide on the most appropriate medication, providing specialist advice throughout your journey, and regularly checking in with you to monitor progress. We’ll be with you every step of the way.
Sources
- Eli Lilly (2025): Statement: America’s leading role in biopharmaceutical innovation.
- EMC: Wegovy 0.25 mg, FlexTouch solution for injection in pre-filled pen.
- UK Government (2024): MHRA approves GLP–1 receptor agonist semaglutide to reduce risk of serious heart problems in obese or overweight adults.
- FirstWord Pharma (2025): Novo Nordisk A/S: New Wegovy® dose submitted to European Medicines Agency for approval, with 1 in 3 trial participants achieving 25% or more weight loss.
- Novo Nordisk (2025): Efficacy and Safety of Semaglutide 7.2 mg in Obesity: The STEP UP Trial.
