Patients in Ireland Face Mounjaro Price Hike After UK Increase

Sales of the weight loss injection Mounjaro have been temporarily suspended in the UK as pharmacies brace for a staggering 170% price increase. This decision poses significant challenges for patients in Ireland, many of whom are expected to seek alternatives on the black market. Mounjaro, produced by pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly, has been more affordable in the UK, prompting numerous Irish users to purchase it from Northern Ireland to save over €100 each month.

A representative from Eli Lilly confirmed to The Journal that there are currently no plans to increase prices or halt sales of Mounjaro in Ireland. Nevertheless, Dr. Harriet Treacy, co-founder of the weight loss clinic Beyond BMI, expressed concern about the anxiety this situation has created for both patients and clinicians in Ireland. They fear that the changes in the UK could hinder access to essential medication for many.

According to Sky News, Eli Lilly is collaborating with UK pharmacies to mitigate the impact of the price hike, which is set to take effect on September 1, 2023. The company stated it is “working with private providers on commercial arrangements to maintain affordability” for patients, although specific details regarding potential cost reductions have not been disclosed. Following the increase, the price for a month’s supply of Mounjaro at its highest dose (15 mg) will rise from £122 (approximately €141.39) to £330 (around €382.41) in the UK. In Ireland, the same dosage is currently priced at about €475 per month, which remains significantly higher than the UK prices.

Dr. Treacy noted that she has never encountered a price hike of this magnitude and highlighted the potential consequences for her patients who previously accessed Mounjaro from Northern Ireland. Sudden discontinuation of the medication could lead to weight gain and setbacks in managing obesity-related health conditions, such as heart disease. She also emphasized the psychological toll that abrupt weight fluctuations can have on individuals with negative experiences related to diet culture.

As the situation unfolds, Dr. Treacy warned that panic over supply could drive some patients to seek unregulated weight loss medications on the black market. She cautioned that such alternatives might be unsafe, containing unclean needles or improper ingredients, which could undermine treatment efficacy.

The lifting of the sales pause came into effect on Wednesday night and will remain in place until the price increase is implemented. The Irish health system, the Health Service Executive (HSE), has reported that Ireland has one of the highest obesity rates in Europe, with 60% of adults living with this condition. Obesity treatment injections like Mounjaro are designed to combat obesity and its associated health risks.

Belinda Hogan, an Irish woman who sources her weight loss medication from Northern Ireland, conveyed that the price increase would have dire consequences for many in Ireland. “This is 100% going to be the end of a lot of people’s journeys with this medication due to the price increase. People just can’t afford it,” she stated. Hogan runs an online coaching program for individuals using weight loss injections and noted that she has received numerous messages from distressed individuals anxious about their treatment continuity.

Hogan, who credits her significant weight loss—over 100 pounds—to the medication with avoiding a necessary back operation, criticized the high costs associated with accessing obesity treatment in the Republic of Ireland. “It’s wealthcare as opposed to healthcare. It’s not fair,” she remarked.

The Department of Health has been approached for a statement regarding the situation. As developments unfold, the implications of the pricing changes on the availability and accessibility of Mounjaro will be closely monitored, particularly for the health and wellbeing of patients in Ireland.