weight loss
∙5 minute read
Published 18/08/2025
For the latest updates, head to our dedicated Mounjaro price change page.
At Numan, we know how much effort goes into your health journey, and the last thing anyone wants to see going up is the price of their treatment. But from September, the manufacturer of Mounjaro, Eli Lilly, is increasing its prices by up to 170%.
We want to make sure you have clarity on why this is happening and what it could mean for you if you’re already on treatment, or thinking about starting.
When Mounjaro first launched in the UK in early 2024, it became one of the first countries outside the US to access it. At the time, Eli Lilly set the UK price much lower than in other countries.
Why? Three main reasons:
To make sure the NHS could access supply quickly, avoiding long delays for eligible patients.
To help ease NHS pressures and waiting lists by making private access more affordable during a period when there was a global shortage of similar medicines.
To compete with the manufacturers of Wegovy (semaglutide), which gained its license for the treatment of obesity in the UK in December 2023.
For a while, this meant people in the UK were paying far less than those in places like Germany, Australia, or the US. But now, things are changing. The manufacturer is moving towards “aligning” prices across countries, and political pressure in the US has sped that up.
American leaders have argued for years that lower prices abroad are being propped up by higher ones in the US, and the push to even things out has finally landed here.
It’s important to know that Mounjaro isn’t the only option out there. For people who meet the medical criteria, Wegovy is still available in the UK at its current price. Like Mounjaro, it’s a once-weekly injection designed to support weight management, and it’s been well studied in people who have obesity.
In practice, many people find that using Wegovy feels very similar to Mounjaro: the same weekly routine, the same injection style, and the same focus on making healthy lifestyle changes alongside the treatment. For that reason, switching over can feel less like starting from scratch and more like continuing your journey with a slightly different tool.
That said, whether Wegovy is the right choice for you depends on your personal situation. Your clinician will take into account your medical history, your goals, and how you’ve responded to treatments in the past before making a recommendation.
If you’re currently paying privately for Mounjaro, it’s worth:
Speaking to your provider: They may be able to offer a discount or phased dose adjustment if clinically appropriate.
Reviewing your treatment plan: Discuss whether continuing, switching, or pausing is the right option for you.
Considering alternatives: Wegovy or other approved weight loss medications might still meet your needs.
Avoiding unlicensed sources: Buying medicines from unauthorised sellers is illegal, risky, and dangerous.
In short, no. The price increase affects the list price paid privately, not the amount agreed under NHS supply arrangements. Patients receiving tirzepatide on the NHS for obesity or type 2 diabetes will not be affected by this change.
You may be able to get tirzepatide from your GP if:
Your BMI is 40 or above, and
You have at least four health conditions linked to weight, such as:
Type 2 diabetes
High blood pressure
Heart disease
Abnormal cholesterol or blood fats
Obstructive sleep apnoea (a sleep-related breathing problem)
If you have at least four of these conditions but your BMI is below 40, you might still qualify depending on your ethnic background. This is because some groups, including South Asian, Chinese, other Asian, Middle Eastern, Black African, or African-Caribbean, can be at higher risk of weight-related health problems at lower BMIs.
For those paying privately, the cost can vary depending on where you get your medication. Some pharmacies and clinics are doing their best to keep prices down by negotiating directly with suppliers, though how much they can reduce depends on things like supply agreements and running costs. Others may have to set their prices closer to the new wholesale rates.
The rise in Mounjaro’s cost is part of a much bigger story about how medicines are priced around the world. While NHS patients won’t notice a change, those paying privately may see their costs go up.
If this affects you, the most important thing to know is that you’re not alone, and you still have options. Talking it through with your Numan clinician can help you find the right next step for your health and your goals. There are other proven treatments available in the UK, and together we can make sure your progress doesn’t stop here.
Written by Hassan Thwaini
Clinical Pharmacist and Copywriter, Master of Pharmacy (MPharm)
