‘King Kong' of fat jabs could DOUBLE in price – soaring to over £300 for the max doses
FAT JAB BLOW 'King Kong' of fat jabs could DOUBLE in price – soaring to over £300 for the max doses
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MOUNJARO prices in the UK could double as the manufacturer will next month hike the rate it charges pharmacies for the fat jab.
US-based Eli Lilly said it is increasing charges for the blockbuster weight loss injection in Britain to 'address inconsistencies' with what it commands from other rich countries.
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Mounjaro is by far the UK's most popular weight loss drug
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A middle-sized 5mg dose will nearly double from £92 to £180 from September 1.
The maximum available dose, 15mg, will rise from £122 to £330.
Lilly said it has struck a secret, cheaper deal with the NHS to ensure availability for the patients most in need.
It also claimed to have negotiated with big private suppliers to ensure the whole increase is not passed on to patients.
'At launch, Lilly agreed to a UK list price that is significantly below the European average
More than a million Brits are thought to be taking the weight loss injection privately and now face an increase in their monthly bill.
Ministers are keen to use the drug to tackle the UK's bulging waistline and roll it out to millions more people over the next decade.
A Lilly spokesperson said: 'Following a review, Lilly will increase the UK list price for Mounjaro (tirzepatide) from 1 September to address pricing inconsistencies compared to other developed countries, including in Europe.
'We have reached an agreement with the NHS to ensure continued supply and patient access.
'While Lilly does not determine the prices that private healthcare providers set, we are working with them to maintain patient access.
'The UK was one of the first countries where Lilly launched Mounjaro, and our priority was to bring it to patients as quickly as possible during a time of limited supply of GLP-1 RA treatments for type 2 diabetes.
'At launch, Lilly agreed to a UK list price that is significantly below the European average to prevent delays in NHS availability.
'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.'
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