Pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly has announced that the price of the weight loss injection tirzepatide increased as of September 1.
In a statement, Eli Lilly shared that the price adjustment reflects the company’s efforts to fairly share the costs of medical research across developed countries.
Eli Lilly said,“We are continuing to work with certain governments, while providing continued access for patients. This includes an agreement with the UK government to increase the list price of tirzepatide, while maintaining access for NHS patients.”
Prior to the price change, a temporary order freeze was enforced from August 27 until September 1, to enable the company to fulfil orders that had been placed. At the time, Eli Lilly reiterated that there are legal protections in place, enforced by the MHRA, to prevent “inappropriate stockpiling of medicine”.
This freeze “severely disrupted affordability and access” according to Professor Steve Davies, medical director at You Can Clinic, who said, “At You Can Clinic, we’re grappling not only with the financial strain and sourcing bottlenecks, but also with the very real risk to patient continuity of care. It’s a pity patients and healthcare professionals have been ignored in this decision-making as both deserve better.”
In terms of consumer stockpiling, Chris Atkins, MHRA head of Compliance Team 2 (Good Manufacturing and Distribution Practice), said, “Stockpiling medicines could disrupt continued supply to patients and is not permitted under the regulations pertaining to wholesaling medicines in the UK. Wholesalers must follow strict rules to make sure medicines are stored, handled and delivered safely to comply with Good Distribution Practice (GDP) and with medicines legislative requirements. They are legally required to keep medicines flowing to pharmacies and other approved suppliers so that UK patients can get the treatments they need.”
Aesthetics reached out to Eli Lilly regarding the price change, and the company confirmed that the final prices patients will pay may vary, as providers set their own prices independently.
Eli Lilly said, “We are working with private providers on commercial arrangements to maintain affordability and expect these to be passed onto patients. We are already seeing providers respond in different ways to the list price change, with a range of options available for eligible patients. We also want to work in partnership with the Government to expand NHS access for eligible patients, building on the commitments in the Government’s 10 Year Plan.”
Olivier Picard, chair of the National Pharmacy Association, said, “This rebate will mitigate some of the impact of the increase in tirzepatide prices faced by pharmacies. Prices advertised in many pharmacies will already reflect this discount and pharmacies will also have to wait to receive this retrospectively after dispensing. Pharmacies will access price rebates if they can as a way of keeping prices accessible.”
