A Shropshire physician has warned that significant price increases for the weight loss drug Mounjaro could push some patients to seek the drug through unsafe, unregulated sources. The rise comes after pharmaceutical manufacturer Eli Lilly announced it would hike the list price by up to 170% in the United Kingdom.

Dr. Liz Donald, a general practitioner specializing in weight management at a private clinic in Bridgnorth, said many of her patients are worried they will no longer be able to afford the medication. “I think this will push some people over to the black market,” she said. “I do not think there’s a shadow of a doubt about that.”

Eli Lilly Justifies Increase as Global Alignment

The new pricing structure will see the suggested cost of the highest-weight loss drug dose Mounjaro pen increase from £122 (about $155) to £330 (about $418) per month. Prices for lower doses will also rise, though less steeply. Eli Lilly said the decision reflects the need to balance innovation costs across global markets, noting that UK patients had been paying fees well below those charged in other European countries.

“With changes in the environment and new clinical evidence supporting the value of Mounjaro, we are now aligning the list price more consistently to ensure fair global contributions to the cost of innovation,” the company said in a statement.

The increase will not affect patients who receive the drug through the National Health Service (NHS). The NHS has negotiated a heavily discounted rate for prescriptions, meaning the financial strain will fall mostly on private patients who pay out of pocket.

Patients Struggle With Tough Choices

Dr. Donald said the rise will place an outsized burden on those already balancing health needs with financial limitations. “I have patients who have to pay every month and stagger their payments, but pharmacies won’t allow for that,” she explained. “There are a lot of people out there struggling with their weight, and what we have to remember is that it is a disease. It isn’t people being vain.”

Weight Loss drug Mounjaro, a weekly injectable drug, helps users feel full, thereby reducing food intake. It is currently estimated that about 1.5 million people in the UK are taking weight loss medications.

Ad, a 37-year-old father of two from Telford, has been privately using Mounjaro for seven weeks. He said the drug has helped him lose two stone (about 28 pounds) and significantly reduced his cravings for binge foods. “I was definitely a binge eater, I was a chocolate addict, and I haven’t touched a piece of chocolate since starting Mounjaro,” he said.

His partner, Nicola, confirmed the change, saying she has noticed a dramatic improvement in his energy and family life. However, the couple is now faced with difficult financial decisions. “We have childcare costs, and I’m going back to work next month, so we will have some more income coming in, but it has been a tough slog,” Nicola said. “We do need to weigh up whether we can afford it.”

Risks of an Unregulated Market

Health professionals warn that the price surge could unintentionally fuel an underground trade in counterfeit or illegally imported medications. While cheaper alternatives might be available online, unregulated supplies come with risks of contamination, incorrect dosages, or fake products with no medical benefit.

For Dr. Donald, the situation is a stark reminder of the challenges patients face when life-changing treatments are priced out of reach. “We could see people turning away from legitimate healthcare providers and putting themselves at real risk,” she said.

As demand for weight loss drug continues to climb, the sharp rise in costs may widen the divide between patients who can access safe medical treatment and those forced to gamble with their health on the black market.

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