Eli Lilly raises prices in the UK by up to 170% just because Trump complained that "weight loss drugs in London are much cheaper than in the US."

American pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly has significantly raised the price of its popular weight loss drug Mounjaro in the UK, with increases of up to 170%. This move directly responds to complaints from the Trump administration about "foreign free riders" relying on the U.S. to bear higher drug costs.

On August 14, media reports indicated that Eli Lilly stated the price increase in the UK, effective from September, aims to "address the pricing inconsistency compared to other developed countries (including European nations)."

This injectable medication, also used for treating diabetes, will see the monthly supply price for the highest dosage rise from £122 to £330. Despite the substantial price hike, Eli Lilly has committed not to increase the supply price to the National Health Service (NHS) in the UK to ensure the continued availability of the drug.

Reports noted that Trump had previously focused on the price differences of weight loss drugs, complaining in a speech that "weight loss drugs in London are much cheaper than in the U.S."

Additionally, the pharmaceutical industry is striving to cope with the threat of Trump's "most favored nation" drug pricing proposal, which suggests linking U.S. drug prices to those overseas. The industry is concerned that the price increases could trigger a chain reaction, with more pharmaceutical companies potentially raising prices due to tariffs.

Significant Price Increase in Response to Political Pressure

Eli Lilly's price adjustment involves a full range of products at different dosages. The company announced a substantial price increase for the weight loss drug Mounjaro in the UK starting in September. Among them:

The monthly supply price for the highest dosage will rise from £122 to £330, an increase of 170%; the lower dosage will see increases ranging from 45% to 138%.

Analysis indicates that this aggressive pricing strategy is a direct response to political pressure from the Trump administration. Trump explicitly expressed dissatisfaction with the price differences in his speech, stating that his friends in London purchase "weight loss injections" at prices far lower than those in the U.S. market.

Eli Lilly stated in its announcement that the UK was one of the first countries to launch Mounjaro, and the company's priority at that time was to quickly provide drug supplies for diabetes patients.

"At the time of launch, Eli Lilly agreed to a UK price significantly lower than the European average to prevent delays in NHS supply."

Despite the substantial price increase, Eli Lilly emphasized that it would not raise the supply price to the NHS to ensure the continuity of drug supply. The company stated it is working with private healthcare providers to maintain access to this medication recommended for over 3 million people in England. Private providers can negotiate confidential discounts with the company.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence previously recommended prescribing Mounjaro for up to 3.4 million people in England. However, considering the NHS's difficulty in bearing such a large cost, the agency later agreed to a phased rollout, initially serving about 250,000 patients with the highest clinical needs in the first three years.

Industry Concerns About Chain Reactions

The American pharmaceutical industry is striving to cope with the threat of Trump's "most favored nation" drug pricing proposal, which aims to link U.S. drug prices to those overseas. According to research from the RAND Corporation, U.S. drug prices are, on average, nearly three times higher than those in many other developed countries.

The threat of price reductions in the U.S. has loomed over negotiations regarding drug pricing with the NHS, as pharmaceutical companies are reluctant to reach agreements in the UK that could affect their pricing standards in the U.S Negotiations to amend the drug sales rebate tax to limit NHS drug spending have been delayed beyond the deadline for resolving the issue. According to industry insiders, despite the UK government's latest proposal indicating an increase in drug spending, the lack of details has left pharmaceutical CEOs disappointed.

Dr. Leyla Hannbeck, CEO of the Independent Pharmacy Association, stated that the organization is "shocked and very disappointed" by this "huge" price increase. She described it as a "real blow to patients, especially at a time when more and more people concerned about their weight are turning to injectable medications."

Hannbeck also called on the government to develop "emergency measures" to prevent further price increases. "We are concerned that more pharmaceutical companies may raise prices due to tariffs, which would adversely affect our drug market, pharmacies, and patients."

Analysts say this pricing adjustment provides a new case for the global pharmaceutical industry to respond to political pressure, while also signaling that the international drug pricing system may face a broader realignment