Mounjaro mayhem: Wholesaler halts shipments ahead of 1st September price hike
Ed Milner | Last update: 28th August 2025
As panic buying hits the UK, Mounjaro’s distributor has frozen all new shipments of the weight loss jab to pharmacies until the planned price rise comes into effect on 1st September.
TL;DR
- Eli Lilly’s distributor Phoenix Healthcare has paused Mounjaro shipments to UK pharmacies
- The move is to prevent stockpiling ahead of a 170% increase on list prices (the price Eli Lilly charge wholesalers) on 1st September
- Patients describe “Covid-style” panic buying, and some are down to their last pen
- Pharmacies are warning of shortages, black market risks and counterfeit jabs
- SlimrChat says: panic buying is understandable, but may make access worse
Why has Mounjaro supply been frozen?
As SlimrChat previously reported, Mounjaro prices in the UK are set to rise sharply from 1st September. Some retailers have announced a doubling of their prices. Read our full overview of confirmed pricing so far: Full breakdown of the price hike
Also see:
🔗 What pharmacies are telling us
🔗 What our SlimrChat community is saying
In response, distributor Phoenix Healthcare has placed a temporary block on Mounjaro orders. They’ve confirmed there are no underlying supply problems, but said the pause was needed to stop pharmacies from stockpiling at pre-hike prices.
Eli Lilly: UK price was “significantly below European average”
Manufacturer Eli Lilly defended the increase, stating that the UK list price had been “significantly below the European average” and that the rise would support “fair global contributions to the cost of innovation.”
Panic buying and patient stress
Pharmacists have described a wave of panic buying similar to “Covid-style stockpiling.” Patients are attempting to register with multiple providers to secure extra pens, raising concerns of black market trading and counterfeit jabs.
SlimrChat community member, Sun, told us that it’s “been a nightmare to find a pharmacy with any stock” and that she’s considering making her final pens last longer by jabbing every two weeks.
Gemma, another community member, is unhappy that some people have been “allowed to buy multiple pens”. She added:
“Surely the pharmacies aren’t supposed to be doing this?”
Safety warnings from the NPA
The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has issued a warning against bulk buying. CEO Henry Gregg said:
“Patients should speak to their local pharmacy for advice.”
He warned that panic buying only worsens the situation and could fuel a black market of unsafe or contaminated products.
Switching isn’t simple
Some users are considering alternatives like Wegovy (semaglutide). But as SlimrChat has reported, these drugs are not interchangeable although managed switching is possible. Dosages, active ingredients, and mechanisms differ, switching should always be done with medical supervision.
Eli Lilly urges sensible ordering
Eli Lilly reminded users that legal controls enforced by the MHRA are in place to prevent misuse or unauthorised stockpiling. They urged patients to:
“Only order based on their current treatment plan.”
SlimrChat’s view
With the price hike looming and stock delays unfolding, this is one of the most challenging weeks yet for Mounjaro users in the UK. We understand the urge to stock up but panic buying risks making the situation worse for everyone.
We’ll continue to monitor pricing, supply, and feedback from our community.