Recent reports indicate that online pharmacies and weight-loss clinics in Britain are reducing prices for Wegovy and Mounjaro, two newly introduced weight-loss medications, as initial supply shortages begin to ease. This move comes amid increasing competition among retailers, sparking concerns that patients purchasing the drugs independently may miss out on essential long-term aftercare if they frequently switch providers.
Self-paying patients already contribute significantly to the revenue generated from Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy and Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro. Analysts predict that the market for these next-generation weight-loss therapies could soon reach $100 billion globally annually, making them attractive offerings for drug retailers.
For instance, Simple Online Pharmacy recently lowered the price of starter doses of Mounjaro to £159 for a one-month supply, down from £179. They further reduced the price to £149 and also discounted the higher Mounjaro strengths. The pharmacy reported unprecedented demand for the new obesity drugs, attributing the easing of supply chain pressures to Mounjaro’s launch.
Other providers, such as Mayfair Weight Loss Clinic and London Slimming Clinic, have also reduced prices for either Mounjaro or Wegovy in recent months. Darrin Baines, a health economics professor, noted that the market is opening up following initial supply constraints, with pharmacies leveraging online platforms to attract customers with competitive deals.
One user, Tasha from Battle, shared her experience of purchasing Mounjaro injections through Simple Online Pharmacy. While she appreciated the price guarantee, which ensured she received a refund when finding cheaper offers elsewhere, she admitted to regularly searching for better deals online due to the cost-of-living crisis impacting everyone.
In the UK, where obesity rates rank among the highest in Europe, Wegovy was launched in September, followed by Mounjaro in February. This experience provides insight into the competition among private suppliers as availability improves. Novo expects Wegovy prices to decrease with increasing volumes and competition.
Despite the benefits of lower prices, concerns have been raised regarding patients switching between suppliers, potentially compromising the consistent supervision required for these treatments. Health experts warn against trivializing the side-effects and medical necessity of long-term therapy with these drugs.
Access to Wegovy via the NHS is currently being appraised, while patients seeking Mounjaro need a BMI of at least 35 and weight-related illnesses. Some patients have faced challenges accessing NHS prescriptions due to limited specialist services in their area.
Nick Finer, a professor focusing on cardiovascular disease, emphasized the importance of continuity in medical care and cautioned against changing providers or interrupting treatment based on price alone.
In response to these concerns, Simple Online Pharmacy highlighted its comprehensive weight-care service, which includes lifestyle support and clinical care. However, Mayfair and London Slimming clinics did not provide comments when contacted.
