The price of the weight loss and type 2 diabetes drug Mounjaro is set to surge in the UK, with manufacturer Eli Lilly confirming increases of up to 170% from next month.

A month’s supply of the highest dose will rise from £122 to £330, though NHS patients will not be impacted as they are covered by a separate pricing agreement.

Eli Lilly said the UK’s initial launch price was set “significantly below” that of other European countries to speed up the drug’s availability on the NHS. The sharp increase comes after reported US pressure on drugmakers to raise prices abroad in order to help subsidise domestic cost reductions.

Mounjaro, which contains the active ingredient tirzepatide, has gained popularity for its effectiveness in weight management as well as in treating type 2 diabetes. The drug has seen a surge in demand globally, with supply shortages reported in multiple countries.

The new pricing will mainly affect private patients purchasing the drug through pharmacies, clinics, or online providers.

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