The Association for the Study of Obesity notes with concern the announcement by Eli Lilly that the list price of privately purchased Mounjaro (tirzepatide) in the UK will increase by up to 170% for some doses.
While this change does not affect NHS pricing, around nine in ten people currently using weight-loss medications in the UK access them privately. For many, this increase will place effective treatment out of reach, risking greater health inequalities and potentially driving some individuals towards unsafe, unregulated sources.
ASO emphasises that obesity is a complex, chronic disease requiring a comprehensive, evidence-based approach. Medicines such as Mounjaro can play an important role for some individuals, but they must be part of a broader package of care and support, including nutritional, physical activity, and psychological interventions.
We urge policymakers and health services to continue exploring ways to ensure equitable, safe access to effective obesity treatments, regardless of a person’s income or postcode
