Mounjaro gains momentum in the UK’s private obesity treatment market, outpacing Wegovy
In the UK’s private obesity treatment market, Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro is becoming the preferred choice over Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy, according to insights from online pharmacies and patients. The shift suggests that the U.S.-based pharmaceutical company is challenging its European competitor’s early dominance in the sector.
The popularity of Mounjaro stems from its greater efficacy in supporting weight loss, as confirmed by six online pharmacies and two individuals using the drug. Despite some pharmacies charging up to 40% more for Mounjaro’s introductory doses compared to Wegovy, its effectiveness appears to outweigh the higher cost for many users.
“Mounjaro is now vastly outstripping Wegovy,” stated James O’Loan, CEO of Chemist4U. According to O’Loan, over the past three to four months, approximately 70% of his pharmacy’s sales have been attributed to Mounjaro.
Private Market Growth
Chemist4U and Simple Online Pharmacy estimate that as many as 500,000 people in the UK are using either Mounjaro or Wegovy via prescriptions obtained through private online pharmacies. Unlike Wegovy, which is accessible through the National Health Service (NHS) but only in specialist obesity clinics under limited conditions, Mounjaro is currently unavailable through the NHS. However, it is expected to become available next year.
The government revealed last year that NHS services had the capacity to treat around 35,000 patients with Wegovy, but no public data exists on the number of prescriptions issued.
Mounjaro entered the UK market in February 2024, marking one of the first launches outside the U.S. and one of a few countries where it directly competes with Wegovy. Novo Nordisk introduced Wegovy in the UK in September 2023. Government statistics indicate that approximately two-thirds of adults in the UK are living with overweight or obesity, making the country a significant market for obesity treatments.
Rising Demand for Obesity Medications
The global obesity drug market is projected to reach a value of $150 billion annually within the next decade. The UK, as one of Europe’s more populous markets, is witnessing significant growth in demand for obesity treatments.
O’Loan reported that Chemist4U is selling approximately 40,000 pens of Mounjaro and Wegovy combined each month, with each pen representing about one month’s supply. The pharmacies interviewed noted that availability of both medications has stabilised since the summer following an earlier period of shortages.
Online listings indicate that one-month starter doses of Wegovy cost between £109 and £138. Similarly, Mounjaro starter doses are priced at approximately £115.
Novo Nordisk’s leadership in the obesity drug market made it Europe’s largest company by market capitalisation last year. However, increasing competition from Eli Lilly has led to a 16% decline in Novo’s market value since its peak in June. Lilly’s rapid growth has boosted its shares by 37% this year, outperforming Novo’s 12% gain.
Comparative Efficacy
Clinical trial data have played a pivotal role in shaping preferences for Mounjaro. Before regulatory approval, trials demonstrated that individuals using Wegovy achieved an average weight reduction of 15%, while Mounjaro users saw nearly 23% weight loss when combined with a balanced diet and exercise.
Recent study results, published last week, provided the first direct comparison between the two medications under identical trial conditions. These findings reinforced Mounjaro’s superior effectiveness in facilitating weight loss.
Novo Nordisk declined to comment on UK sales but emphasised that prescribing decisions should prioritise individual patient needs. Eli Lilly also declined to comment.
Individual Experiences and Pharmacy Trends
Alan, a 54-year-old financial services professional from London, switched to Mounjaro in March 2024 after using Wegovy since October 2023. Concerned about hitting a weight loss plateau, he opted for Mounjaro despite needing to start at the lowest dose and gradually increase. Within the first month, Alan lost one kilogram—more than he had achieved on the highest dose of Wegovy before switching.
“Efficacy drove my switch,” Alan explained. “It was a no-brainer; it seemed the obvious thing to try.”
Pharmacy data align with such individual accounts. Matt Vickers, clinical director at Juniper Pharmacy, reported that 70% to 80% of their new clients are opting for Mounjaro. Similarly, UK pharmacy chain Superdrug dispensed three times as many prescriptions for Mounjaro as Wegovy in October. Online pharmacy MedExpress noted a growing preference among new customers for Mounjaro.
Another individual, John, who preferred to use his middle name, began his weight loss journey with Novo Nordisk’s diabetes medication Ozempic, which contains the same active ingredient as Wegovy. John lost 18 kilograms using Ozempic and exceeded his goal by shedding an additional 20 kilograms. Despite this success, he plans to transition to Mounjaro in January to further enhance his outcomes.
Future Outlook
The competition between Mounjaro and Wegovy highlights a rapidly evolving landscape in obesity care, with patients prioritising efficacy and accessibility. As demand continues to grow, both manufacturers will likely play a critical role in shaping the future of obesity management in the UK and beyond.
