Latest news with #KwikPen
Metro
2 days ago
- Health
- Metro
Cost of Mounjaro weight-loss drug to go up by 170% in the UK within weeks
The manufacturers of a new weight-loss drug recently rolled out by the NHS are upping their prices by 170%. Eli Lilly is increasing the price of Mounjaro, which is also used to treat type 2 diabetes, in the UK from September. It comes amid a White House push to get drug makers to raise their prices overseas in order to cut prices in the US. The price for a month's supply of the highest dose of Mounjaro, a 15mg KwikPen, will increase from £122 to £330. The cost of a 2.5mg pen, the lowest dose available, will rise from £92 to £133 from September 1. This means the annual cost of the 15mg dose will increase from £1,586 a year to £4,290. This higher price will affect anyone in the UK who pays for the medicine privately. However, it doesn't impact those who are prescribed the medicine through the NHS, as these prices were set with a separate deal, a Lilly spokesperson said. The manufacturer said it agreed to a list price 'significantly below' others in Europe to prevent delaying Mounjaro's availability on the NHS. 'We are now aligning the list price more consistently,' Lilly said. Dr Leyla Hannbeck, chief executive of the Independent Pharmacies Association, told the Daily Mail: 'We are shocked and very disappointed by this huge more than doubling of the wholesale cost of Mounjaro by the manufacturer Eli Lilly. 'British patients must not become pawns in a wider dispute about the costs of medicines arising from President Trump's recent letter to the US drug manufacturers.' Mounjaro was launched in the UK in February 2024, compared to rival Novo Nordisk's Wegovy treatment which has been available since September 2023. Lilly said it was working with private UK healthcare providers to ensure patients can keep accessing the medicine and potentially negotiate discounts which could be passed on to customers. The manufacturer also said clinical research had proved the effectiveness of the Mounjaro injections, saying the drug had demonstrated its 'value'. Known as tirzepatide and marketed under the brand name Mounjaro, the drug injection helps people to manage blood sugar. It works in a similar way to semaglutide – sold as Ozempic, Wegovy and Rybelsus – which are in the same family of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) agonist medications. Administered by weekly injections, tirzepatide changes hormone levels in the body to slow down how fast food is digested. This make you feel more full, for longer, on less food. Alongside healthy eating and exercise, this can help people lose weight. But there are pros and cons to taking the weight-loss drug, including some side effects. Short-term: Sickness and nausea Indigestion & heartburn Constipation Diarrhoea Headaches Injection site reactions (redness, bruising, tenderness, swelling) Gallstones and pancreatitis (in rare instances) Positive impacts on heart health (in some instances) Long-term: Weight loss Muscle mass reduction Slower metabolism Insulin resistance A spokesperson for Lilly said: 'Following a review, Lilly will increase the UK list price for Mounjaro (tirzepatide) from September 1 to address pricing inconsistencies compared to other developed countries, including in Europe. 'In parallel, 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.' The US pays more for prescription drugs than any other country, often nearly three times as much as other developed nations. More Trending President Donald Trump says he wants to narrow this gap to stop Americans from being 'ripped off'. An NHS England spokesperson said: 'Licensed, cost-effective weight loss medication, such as tirzepatide (Mounjaro) provides a valuable tool to support people to reach a healthier weight and the wider health and lifestyle benefits that offers. 'The approved list price increase will not affect NHS commissioning of tirzepatide in England for eligible people living with obesity, based on clinical priority, or as a treatment for type 2 diabetes. 'Anyone with questions about their private tirzepatide prescription should contact their private provider.' Get in touch with our news team by emailing us at webnews@ For more stories like this, check our news page. MORE: Chikungunya cases double in UK as expert warns 'all it takes is one mosquito bite' MORE: What is AI psychosis? The rise in people thinking chatbots are real or godlike MORE: Man, 60, gave himself rare condition after going to ChatGPT for diet advice
Economic Times
4 days ago
- Health
- Economic Times
Eli Lilly launches Mounjaro KwikPen for diabetes treatment in India
Synopsis Eli Lilly has launched Mounjaro in KwikPen, a prefilled pen for weekly administration, in India to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity. Priced from Rs 14,000, it offers personalized treatment with six dose strengths. Mounjaro, a dual GIP and GLP-1 receptor agonist, is a prescription-only medication to be used under medical supervision. Reuters US pharmaceutical major Eli Lilly on Wednesday launched its blockbuster diabetes drug Mounjaro in KwikPen, a single patient use prefilled pen designed for once weekly administration-in the Indian market, intensifying competition with rival Danish drugmarker Novo pen will be available in six dose strengths and the price starts from Rs 14,000 for 2.5 mg dose, Rs 17,500 for 5 mg, Rs 22,000 for 7.5 mg and 10 mg and Rs 27,500 for 12.5 mg and 15 mg company said this will allow healthcare professionals to personalize treatment plans to better suit individual patient needs. 'The launch of Mounjaro KwikPen marks a step forward in the care of type 2 diabetes and obesity, offering a more convenient approach to medication administration." said Winselow Tucker, President and General Manager, Lilly India. 'We believe this innovation will support healthcare professionals in delivering more personalized and effective treatment plans, helping to improve outcomes and advance the quality of care for people living with these serious diseases.' The company has warned against the cosmetic use, reiterating that Mounjaro is a prescription-only medication and must be used strictly under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional. 'It is not approved for—and must not be used for—cosmetic weight loss'. 'Patients are advised to consult their healthcare professional to determine whether Mounjaro is appropriate for their individual needs,' it further is the first and only dual GIP (glucose- dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonist, indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes and chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight, with one weight-related in March the company launched Mounjaro in 2.5 mg vial and 5 mg vial at Rs 3500 and Rs 4375 respectively. Nearly half of India's 101 million adult patients with diabetes are inadequately treated with suboptimal glycemic control. Mounjaro reduces body weight and decreases fat mass by regulating appetite.
Time of India
4 days ago
- Health
- Time of India
Eli Lilly launches Mounjaro KwikPen for diabetes treatment in India
US pharmaceutical major Eli Lilly on Wednesday launched its blockbuster diabetes drug Mounjaro in KwikPen, a single patient use prefilled pen designed for once weekly administration-in the Indian market, intensifying competition with rival Danish drugmarker Novo Nordisk . The pen will be available in six dose strengths and the price starts from Rs 14,000 for 2.5 mg dose, Rs 17,500 for 5 mg, Rs 22,000 for 7.5 mg and 10 mg and Rs 27,500 for 12.5 mg and 15 mg dose. The company said this will allow healthcare professionals to personalize treatment plans to better suit individual patient needs. 'The launch of Mounjaro KwikPen marks a step forward in the care of type 2 diabetes and obesity, offering a more convenient approach to medication administration." said Winselow Tucker, President and General Manager, Lilly India . 'We believe this innovation will support healthcare professionals in delivering more personalized and effective treatment plans, helping to improve outcomes and advance the quality of care for people living with these serious diseases.' The company has warned against the cosmetic use, reiterating that Mounjaro is a prescription-only medication and must be used strictly under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional. 'It is not approved for—and must not be used for—cosmetic weight loss'. 'Patients are advised to consult their healthcare professional to determine whether Mounjaro is appropriate for their individual needs,' it further said. Mounjaro is the first and only dual GIP (glucose- dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonist, indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes and chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight, with one weight-related comorbidity. Earlier in March the company launched Mounjaro in 2.5 mg vial and 5 mg vial at Rs 3500 and Rs 4375 respectively. Nearly half of India's 101 million adult patients with diabetes are inadequately treated with suboptimal glycemic control. Mounjaro reduces body weight and decreases fat mass by regulating appetite.
Time of India
26-06-2025
- Business
- Time of India
Eli Lilly to roll out diabetes medicine in prefilled pen
Eli Lilly will soon launch Mounjaro KwikPen in India. This follows regulatory approval for the diabetes and obesity drug. The KwikPen offers a convenient, once-weekly administration. It contains four fixed doses. This launch intensifies competition with Novo Nordisk's Wegovy. Mounjaro's dual mechanism may offer superior efficacy. The availability of all six dosage options will support personalized treatment. Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads Tired of too many ads? Remove Ads US pharmaceutical major Eli Lilly on Thursday announced its plan to launch blockbuster diabetes drug tirzepatide ) in KwikPen , a prefilled pen designed for once-a-week administration for single patients in the Indian market, two days after its rival Danish drug maker Novo Nordisk launched the weight loss drug Wegovy as a weekly injection in the country, intensifying competition in the booming obesity Lilly said it received the approval of the Indian drug regulatory authority but did not comment on the launch timeline. The expected price of the pen device was also not disclosed. Once launched, the company said each pen will deliver four fixed doses of 0.6 ml and has been approved in six dose strengths including 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 7.5 mg, 10 mg, 12.5 mg, and 15 launched earlier this week, is expected to be in the pharmacies by the end of this month. The delivery device will contain four doses of 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg and 1 mg priced at '17,345 a month. This translates into a weekly cost of '4,366. The 1.7 mg dose will be priced at '24,280 per month, and 2.4 mg dose will be priced at '26, Misra, chairman of Fortis C-DOC, Centre of Excellence for diabetes, metabolic diseases and endocrinology said Mounjaro's dual mechanism may offer superior efficacy, however "wider adoption" will depend on the "price" of the Tucker, president and general manager of Eli Lilly India, said the approval of Mounjaro KwikPen marks a step forward in the care of people living with type 2 diabetes and obesity, offering a convenient way for patients to take their medication. Mounjaro reduces body weight and decreases fat mass by regulating appetite."With this approval, all six dosage options for Mounjaro will soon be available in India, supporting a more personalised approach to treatment and allowing healthcare professionals to tailor care based on individual patient needs and clinical goals," he is the first and only dual GIP (glucose- dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonist, indicated as an adjunct to diet and exercise for the treatment of Type 2 diabetes and chronic weight management in adults with obesity or overweight, with one weight-related comorbidity.
The Print
26-06-2025
- Health
- The Print
In battle for Indian anti-obesity market, Eli Lilly's pre-filled pen on one side, Novo Nordisk's on other
The Central Drugs Standard Control Organisation (CDSCO) has granted marketing authorisation for Mounjaro in the KwikPen presentation, Eli Lilly said in a statement Thursday, adding that the approval marks an important step in advancing care for people living with type 2 diabetes and obesity in India. Mounjaro by US-based Eli Lilly & Company, which has tirzepatide as its active pharmaceutical ingredient (API), was launched in India on 20 March this year in vial format, which meant it was more cumbersome to administer. New Delhi: Eli Lilly India, makers of the obesity drug Mounjaro, said Thursday that they have received approvals from the Indian regulator for their pre-filled pen, a day after competitor Novo Nordisk's global mega-selling drug for obesity, Wegovy, hit the Indian markets. The pens offer a convenient way for patients to take their medication. First developed as a treatment for type 2 diabetes in lower doses, both Mounjaro and Wegovy are weekly injections intended to dramatically reduce weight in obese patients. They have emerged as global sensations in the pharmaceutical market world over, with their sales reaching multi-billion-dollar figures. These drugs have also been fighting to dominate the obesity management space in many developed countries. They are now aiming to capture a share of the market in India, where obesity is growing rapidly, driven by changing dietary and lifestyle patterns. India's anti-obesity drug market is currently valued at Rs 3,000-3,500 crore, and is projected to grow nearly eightfold to Rs 25,000 crore by 2030, according to market estimates. A 2023 survey by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) and Madras Diabetes Research Foundation (MDRF) had shown that 25.4 crore Indians, or 28.6 percent, of the population had generalised obesity. Obesity, now recognised as a chronic, relapsing disease, is a major risk factor for diabetes and is linked to over 200 health complications, including hypertension, dyslipidemia or high blood cholesterol, coronary heart disease, and obstructive sleep apnea. Also Read: Fat-busting drug Mounjaro launched in India. Here's how much it will cost Promise of simplified treatment KwikPen, or Mounjaro, is a multi-dose, prescription-based, single-patient-use pre-filled pen designed for once-weekly administration, the company said. It also added that the full range of doses for Mounjaro—2.5 mg to 15 mg—will be available in India soon, supporting personalised treatment as recommended by treating physicians. Earlier, the vial format of the drug was launched in only two dosage strengths—2.5 mg and 5 mg—in the country. The latest announcement came after Wegovy, which has semaglutide as its API, got a strategic launch in India as an innovative, easy-to-use pre-filled pen called FlexTouch devices. It was aimed at stealing the thunder Mounjaro had by reaching Indian patients first. A less potent version of semaglutide, in the form of an oral pill-under the brand name of Rybelsus, has been available in India since 2022 for the treatment of diabetes. The Wegovy pre-filled pen has been launched in five dosing strengths: 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg and 2.4 mg. While the monthly cost of the first three dosages is Rs 17,345, the higher doses will cost Rs 24,280 and Rs 26,050, respectively. Mounjaro, in the vial format, was launched at a cost of Rs 14,000 (for 2.5 mg) and Rs 17,500. Eli Lilly, however, has yet to decide the price of the Mounjaro KwikPen for all five dosages. Meanwhile, experts ThePrint spoke to said pre-filled pens will simplify treatment, making these powerful anti-obesity and diabetes medications more convenient for patients. 'With simplified administration, adherence improves, helping more individuals achieve better weight and metabolic health outcomes,' explained Mumbai-based diabetologist Dr Rajiv Kovil. Senior diabetologist and researcher Dr V. Mohan also said this could make a profound impact on the lives of lakhs of people in India. Mounjaro vs Wegovy—which is more effective Both tirzepatide and semaglutide, the prescription-only drugs, mimic the effects of natural gut hormones that work by lowering caloric intake, primarily by influencing appetite control mechanisms. Tirzepatide is a dual GIP (glucose-dependent insulinotropic polypeptide) and GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1) receptor agonist, while semaglutide functions as a mono GLP-1 receptor agonist. Both GIP and GLP-1 are natural incretin hormones, that stimulate a decrease in blood glucose levels, found in brain regions that regulate appetite. In May this year, Lilly said in a statement that a head-to-head clinical trial comparing tirzepatide and semaglutide in their maximum tolerable doses showed the former to be significantly more effective than the latter in reducing both weight and waist circumference after 72 weeks of treatment. According to the US-based pharma giant, participants administered tirzepatide saw an average weight reduction of 20.2 percent, while those on semaglutide experienced a 13.7 percent loss—indicating a 47 percent greater relative weight loss for the former, based on the treatment regimen estimated at 72 weeks. But one advantage that semaglutide has in the higher dose strength is its ability to also treat several other metabolic conditions, such as cardiovascular diseases and kidney disorders. While Mounjaro is better than Wegovy in percentage of weight loss, there is stronger evidence in the case of Wegovy for reducing cardiovascular conditions in obese people without diabetes and also for treating kidney and diabetes, experts said. During the launch of Wegovy on 24 June, Novo Nordisk underlined that the drug is the only medication approved in India for treating major adverse cardiovascular events (MACE), along with obesity. Diabetologist Kovil said, 'If there is an obese patient who does not have other major underlying issues yet, I will be more inclined towards prescribing Mounjaro.' He added that, in patients with comorbidities such as diabetes, liver or kidney disorder or cardiovascular condition, Wegovy could be a better choice as it reduces mortality and improves longevity. In response to queries by ThePrint, Eli Lilly said that Mounjaro offers a novel approach to metabolic health management, giving treating physicians an innovative option for treating both diabetes and obesity. 'Ultimately, it is up to physicians to determine the most appropriate treatment based on individual patient needs and clinical judgment,' said the drugmaker. According to Dr Ambrish Mithal, chairman and head, endocrinology and diabetes with Max Healthcare, anti-obesity drugs can be indicated for people with a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 30 and above in the absence of other comorbidities. However, in people with other pre-existing conditions, either of the drugs can be initiated at a BMI of 27 and above, in conjunction with diet, lifestyle changes and under expert supervision, he said. Experts also warn about the possible side effects of GLP-1 agonist drugs amid concerns around misuse of these drugs in India, given the regulatory loopholes which allow patients to access most prescription drugs over the counter. Large clinical trials and post-marketing evidence following use of these medicines have shown that while nausea, bloating, vomiting and diarrhoea are comparatively mild side effects of these medications. In rare cases, they can also cause stomach paralysis, a disorder that affects the normal movement of the stomach muscles. In a response to queries by ThePrint, Eli Lilly emphasised that Mounjaro is a prescription-only drug and should be taken strictly under a doctor's supervision. 'Tirzepatide is not approved for, and should not be used for, cosmetic weight loss or by individuals under 18. Lilly neither promotes nor encourages the unapproved use of tirzepatide by anyone,' the company said. (Edited by Sanya Mathur) Also Read: Mounjaro will shrink India's appetite for packaged food, gyms, weight loss supplements
