Mounjaro shortage ahead of price hike as users stockpile

A spike in sales of the weight-loss drug Mounjaro has led to a shortage at major pharmacies, including high street firms Boots, Lloyds Pharmacy and Superdrug.

- ALEX ROSS

The surge in demand comes after Eli Lilly, which manufactures Mounjaro, announced it was to increase the price of the medication in the UK by 170 per cent from September. It means a month’s supply of the highest dose of the drug will rise from £122 to £330.

On social media, many users have said they are stockpiling the drugs to avoid the initial price hike, despite a warning by Eli Lilly and the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) not to bulk order. The situation has left many pharmacies feeling the impact.

Yesterday, Superdrug said it was out of stock for Mounjaro “due to a national shortage” on its website. In a statement to The Independent, the company said: “We are currently working hard to fulfil all the orders that have been placed for Mounjaro, and we hope to be able to start accepting new customer orders next week.

“Due to extremely high demand nationwide, we are experiencing delays with stock of Mounjaro. To ensure continuity of care, we are prioritising the medication orders of existing Superdrug patients who are currently using our weight-loss services.”