The price of a “life-changing” weight loss drug could double or even triple in the UK by the end of the month, prompting fears that it will push more people into the black market.
The manufacturers of Mounjaro announced overnight on Thursday that the UK price for the medication could increase by up to 170% from September 1.
Manufacturer Eli Lilly said the increase will bring the price of the drug in the UK more in line with other countries.
Ailish Jamieson, from Glasgow, is one of thousands of Scots taking the drug to improve her health and quality of life.
After being on steroid medication for ten years, she said her BMI had gone up to 46. She said she was morbidly obese and struggling to lose weight on her own.
STV News“It’s given me a new lease in life,” Ms Jamieson said.
“I climbed Ben Nevis. I would never in a million years have been able to do that before.”
‘Should you put a price on a healthy life?’
Ms Jamieson, who already pays £160 a month for the medication, is now concerned that the price increases are going to make the medication inaccessible to many people.
She said: “I feel very privileged that I’ve been able to pay for this medication.
“Now I fell like… should you be able to put a price on living a healthy life?”
Jackie Partridge, clinical director at Dermal Clinic in Edinburgh, agrees that the cost increases are going to have a big impact.
With more than half a million people across the UK taking Mounjaro, Ms Partridge has branded the price increases “really worrying”.
“Ultimately, people who have chosen to go on this after a full medical assessment [have done so] because it’s improving their quality of life and health. To then have an even bigger barrier put in the way with pricing I think is really sad.”
‘Mounjaro is a huge financial undertaking’
Heather Stringer, from Kincardine, is also worried about the price increases.
The 41-year-old used Mounjaro to lose more than nine stone, and she’s still on the medication to manage her obesity and other related symptoms.
STV News“I’m going to really need to rethink that now, and rethink whether I need to come off the medication,” she said.
“It’s already a huge financial undertaking as a mum with two kids. Now, it’s going to be even more of a stretch and think it’ll be the case for a lot of people.”
She added: “It’s been lifechanging and I don’t say that lightly. It’s given me confidence, but it’s also changed my health outcomes. Undoubtedly, I think I’ve added years to my life taking this medication.”
But she said the “massive” price rises are going to send more people into the black market.
“That is really risky,” she added.
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