Patients struggle to get weight loss drug ahead of price rise

by | Aug 27, 2025 | Health

Some patients taking the weight-loss drug Mounjaro have told BBC News they are struggling to obtain the medicine, and are worried about the impact on their health.There is rising demand for the drug, after the US manufacturer Eli Lilly announced a major price increase from 1 September.The drug giant has warned against “inappropriate stockpiling of medicines” and has now asked UK distributors to stop taking orders from pharmacies from the end of today.Pharmacies say they are prioritising patients already taking the drug, rather than those just starting it, and predict supplies will return to normal in early September.Lynne Massey-Davis, 65, from East Yorkshire, says trying to find Mounjaro stock has been “stressful” after her last prescription order with an online provider wasn’t delivered.”I’m in a holding queue,” she said. “It’s a very uncertain time. I’ve spent a lot of time on the phone.”She’s been told there will be a two-week delay on delivery. In the meantime, she paid £349 to another provider who then said they too had run out, which she describes as “unethical”.Fifteen months ago when Lynne started taking the weight-loss drug, she had a BMI of 32. Now it’s down to 26 and she “feels 10 years younger”, regularly doing park runs, going swimming and walking her dogs.”I’m worried about my health but I will stay safe. There may be many others who will not.”Lynne is planning to share a friend’s doses until her order arrives.The National Pharmacy Association (NPA), which represents 60% of community pharmacies in the UK (around 6,500), said there had been “an increase i …

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