Stop the Unjust Price Hike of Mounjaro: Protect Affordable Access to Weight-Loss Medication in the UK

The recent announcement that the price of Mounjaro, a vital weight-loss medication, will rise from £122 to £330 per month is unacceptable. This 170% increase will make the drug unaffordable for many, especially those accessing it through private prescriptions. At least 500,000 people in the UK rely on Mounjaro or similar medicines, and this price hike risks pushing life-saving treatment out of reach for those who need it most.

This move follows pressure from the US government to equalize drug prices internationally, prioritizing corporate profits over public health. Meanwhile, the NHS has only recently begun offering Mounjaro to a limited group of patients, and many more are left to fend for themselves in the private market. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) has emphasized the importance of ongoing support for patients using these medications, but such support is meaningless if the drugs themselves are unaffordable.

We must not allow pharmaceutical companies to hold patients hostage to profit-driven pricing strategies. Access to essential medicines is a human right, not a privilege for the wealthy. We call on Eli Lilly and the UK government to act now to protect affordable access to Mounjaro and all vital medicines.