From September, Eli Lilly will raise the UK price of its diabetes and weight-loss drug Mounjaro by as much as 170%. The US pharmaceutical giant says the increase will align UK costs with those in other developed nations and address “pricing disparities.”

The NHS will not be affected for now. The price surge is aimed at private patients and providers, who often negotiate discounts behind closed clinic doors. But for those paying out of pocket, the jump is steep, the highest monthly dose will soar from £122 to £330, while lower doses will rise by 45 to 138 per cent.

For many, this is more than a wallet shock. It could mean rethinking whether to continue treatment, especially since Mounjaro is often taken long term to maintain results. With so much at stake, here’s a closer look at what the drug does, who it’s for, and the benefits and risks to consider.

What is Mounjaro?

Mounjaro, the brand name for tirzepatide, is an injectable medication, notes Diabetes UK, and is approved in the UK for type 2 diabetes and, more recently, for obesity. It is part of a newer class of drugs that not only control blood sugar but also promote significant weight loss.

Unlike earlier medications such as Ozempic and Wegovy, both of which were based on semaglutide, Mounjaro works by activating two hormone receptors: GLP-1 and GIP, at the same time. This “dual agonist” approach appears to produce greater weight loss than single-receptor drugs.

How Does it Work?

Mounjaro increases levels of natural hormones called incretins. These hormones help the body release more insulin when needed, reduce glucose production by the liver, and slow digestion so you feel fuller for longer.

The result is a two-pronged effect:

Better blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes

Reduced appetite and calorie intake leading to weight loss

In clinical trials, people taking the highest dose (15 mg weekly) lost up to 21 per cent of their body weight. That’s on par with some bariatric surgeries, but without the invasive procedure.

Who Can Take Mounjaro?

For type 2 diabetes

Adults aged 18 and over who have not been able to control blood sugar with other medications, or who cannot tolerate them due to side effects or other conditions.

Typically prescribed if the person also has a BMI of 35 kg/m² or higher with obesity-related health issues, though exceptions exist for those with lower BMIs in certain ethnic groups or specific medical needs.

For obesity

In England and Wales: Recommended for people with a BMI of at least 35 kg/m² and related health conditions, including type 2 diabetes. Lower thresholds apply for some ethnic groups.

In Scotland: Available for people with a BMI of at least 30 kg/m² plus one obesity-related condition.

The Benefits

Significant weight loss that can improve or reverse obesity-related health problems

Improved blood sugar control in people with type 2 diabetes

Once-weekly dosing with a pre-filled pen for convenience

May reduce risk of complications from diabetes, though more research is ongoing for cardiovascular benefits

The Risks and Side Effects

Like other drugs in its class, Mounjaro can cause:

• Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, indigestion
• Risk of low blood sugar if taken with insulin or certain other diabetes drugs
• Possible risk of high blood sugar if insulin doses are cut too quickly
• In animal studies, an increased risk of thyroid tumors, whether this applies to humans is still unknown

Long-term safety data is limited since the drug is relatively new. Some people may also regain weight if they stop taking it.

Cost and Access Challenges

On the NHS, Mounjaro is free for those eligible under treatment guidelines, but rollout is gradual due to costs and support service limitations. Access for weight loss alone is prioritized for those with the highest clinical need.

Private prescriptions vary in cost and availability. After the September price hike, the financial burden will be significant for many patients, especially since ongoing treatment is often required to maintain benefits.

Life Without the Jab

If the higher cost puts Mounjaro out of reach, lifestyle changes can still deliver meaningful results. Strategies that mimic some of its effects include:

• Eating high-protein meals to promote satiety
• Choosing high-fibre foods to slow digestion
• Limiting ultra-processed foods that spike blood sugar
• Regular physical activity to improve insulin sensitivity

President Trump's noticeably raspy voice drew attention during a meeting with the White House task force on the FIFA World Cup 2026 on Monday, when a reporter asked if he was feeling well. Trump replied, "I feel great. I was shouting at people because they were being foolish about something related to trade and a country, and I straightened it out, but I lost my temper with them." This has reignited discussions about Donald Trump's health.

President Trump’s Unusually Hoarse Voice at Press Conference Sparks Health Concerns

Trump’s hoarse voice caught attention as he explained it came from raising his voice at foreign leaders over his favorite topic: trade and tariffs. He sounded a bit rough during a November 17 Oval Office event, where he spoke to reporters about the U.S. hosting plans for the 2026 FIFA World Cup, as per USA Today.

"I feel great," Trump said when asked about his raspy tone. "I was shouting at people because they were stupid about something to do with trade in a country, and I fixed it. But I lost my temper with them." He added, "A country tried to renegotiate the terms of their trade deal, and I wasn’t happy." When pressed on which country, Trump refused to answer, saying, "Why would I say that to you?"

Donald Trump Health Concerns

Trump’s health has been under the microscope during his second term, particularly dark spots noticed on his hand, which he attributes to taking aspirin regularly and frequent handshakes. The White House reported he recently had an MRI as part of his annual physical, which Trump described as “standard,” though he admitted he did not know what exactly the doctors were reviewing, as per USA Today.

Earlier this year, it was also disclosed that Trump was diagnosed with a common vein condition, usually not serious with treatment, after he was seen with swollen ankles. At 79, Trump continues to insist his health is excellent.

Donald Trump MRI Scan Controversy

Trump revealed he had an MRI scan, saying the doctor called it the “best result” they had ever seen in their career. When asked which part of his body was examined, he clarified that it was all part of a “routine annual” physical. “I had no idea what they analyzed, but whatever they analyzed, they analyzed it well,” he said.

In October, Trump told reporters he underwent an MRI at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center during a “very standard” checkup, describing it as routine. When asked if it involved his brain, he said, “Getting an MRI is very standard. What, you think I shouldn’t have it? Other people get it … I had an MRI. The doctor said it was the best result he has ever seen as a doctor.”

While traveling on Air Force One to Florida, the president added, “The other thing I did … as you know … was a very advanced test on mental acuity because I believe a president should do that, and as you probably heard, I aced it.”

Journalist Mehdi Hasan reacted on X, saying: “Donald Trump says he does not know why he had an MRI. How is this not 25th Amendment territory?”

MSNBC co-host Symone D. Sanders Townsend also wrote on X Friday: “This is not routine. Why did the President need an MRI?”

As this marked Trump’s second MRI, questions have emerged about his health. Initially, the White House described his visit to Walter Reed as a “routine yearly checkup,” even though he had already had his yearly physical in April. The president later referred to it as a “semiannual physical.”

The FDA on Friday revised the safety information for Sarepta Therapeutics’ Duchenne muscular dystrophy gene therapy, Elevidys, adding a boxed warning to alert patients and doctors about the risk of severe liver damage and possible death. This highest-level warning outlines the chance of serious liver injury and acute liver failure in people who receive Elevidys, with both complications carrying the possibility of being fatal.

The agency has also limited the therapy’s use to ambulatory Duchenne patients who are at least 4 years old and have a confirmed mutation in the DMD gene. With these changes, Elevidys is no longer permitted for patients who cannot walk.

What Is Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy?

Duchenne muscular dystrophy (DMD) is a serious inherited condition that leads to steady muscle weakening and loss, affecting boys far more often. It stems from a defect in the dystrophin gene, which prevents the body from making a key protein that protects muscle fibers.

Signs usually show up in early childhood and include trouble walking or climbing, frequent falls and a noticeable waddling walk, according to the Cleveland Clinic.

What Is The Duchenne Gene Therapy?

Gene therapy for Duchenne muscular dystrophy delivers a corrected or shortened form of the dystrophin gene into muscle cells using a modified virus. This allows the cells to produce a working version of the protein. The single intravenous infusion is designed to slow the disease by restoring some dystrophin, with the aim of improving movement and daily functioning. While the FDA has cleared a therapy that creates a reduced “micro-dystrophin,” researchers are still working on ways to provide the full-length gene for potentially stronger results, as noted by the Food and Drug Administration.

What Is Elevidys?

Elevidys is a gene-based treatment designed for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. It is given only once and relies on an adeno-associated virus to carry a modified form of the dystrophin gene into the body. This shorter micro-dystrophin version is meant to take the place of the faulty or absent dystrophin that leads to the condition.

FDA Tightens Duchenne Gene Therapy After Deaths Of Two Teens

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration is tightening control over a Duchenne muscular dystrophy gene therapy after two teenagers died from liver failure linked to the treatment. The agency has restricted Elevidys, made by Sarepta Therapeutics, to boys aged 4 and older who are still able to walk.

It can no longer be given to boys who have already lost the ability to move independently, something that usually occurs around age 12 in Duchenne. A safety review confirmed that both teenagers developed severe liver damage after receiving the infusion and later died.

The FDA is also adding its strongest boxed warning to call attention to the risks of serious liver injury, acute liver failure and death. Sarepta, based in Cambridge, Massachusetts, with offices in several countries, told regulators earlier this year that it had already stopped supplying the therapy to non-ambulatory patients. The company stated that Elevidys has been used in 1,100 patients worldwide.

These updates “will ensure that families and health-care professionals have clear information” to support treatment choices, Louise Rodino-Klapac, Sarepta’s head of research and development, told The New York Times.

The FDA’s new label comes at the end of a difficult year for Sarepta, marked by weak clinical trial results, safety questions surrounding Elevidys and declining sales.

Liev Schreiber, American actor, best known for his role in Spotlight, and latest seen at the Stranger Things promotional events alongside his daughter Kai Schreiber, was rushed to hospital on Sunday. The actor said that he was suffering from a "brutal headache".

The TMZ reported the health scare after he was being hospitalized in the New York City, and stayed overnight Sunday in the hospital on the advice of his doctor. The doctors have also run tests on him. However, his diagnosis still remains unclear, though as per the TMZ report, doctors have said to him that his ability to walk and speech has not be affected.

Liev Schreiber Health Scare In Past

In April 2024, Schreiber revealed that he had a rare condition called transient global amnesia, while he was starring in Doubt: A Parable on Broadway during an appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers.

“The worst nightmare that an actor could possibly ever experience. I was in my dressing room and I had a terrible headache. I thought it was maybe a fast-food headache, but it felt a little stronger than that. I am walking down the stairs, and I am thinking, 'This is not normal. I don't feel okay'," he said.

He said that his condition got worse when he was on stage, as he would completely forget his lines. "It all vanishes. The play is gone from my head...I know I am in a play, but I do not know what play I am in," he said.

He added, "My doctor, who’s a friend, shows up, and he had a terrified expression. My wife shows up, and she looks terrified. I think, ‘Okay, I’ve had a stroke. This is it.'” Although it was not a stroke, but the symptom of transient global amnesia, the actor did not believe it.

He recalled the doctor telling him that he may have the same experience again "it will be gone in 8 to 24 hours", however, he did not believe it. "You know, as a typical sort of Jewish hypochondriac person, I’m convinced that I had a stroke and they just didn’t find it," he said.

“I go to sleep, I wake up, I remember the whole play. I never had another problem with it. I was embarrassed and thought everyone would think I was lying and taking a night off from the theater,” he added.

What Is Transient Global Amnesia?

Transient Global Amnesia or TGA is a sudden, temporary episode of confusion and memory loss, where a person cannot form new memories (anterograde amnesia) and may have trouble recalling recent past events (retrograde amnesia).

Individuals with TGA often repeatedly ask the same questions because they forget the answers, but they retain their sense of self and recognize close friends and family. Episodes are usually benign, resolve within 24 hours, and do not result in lasting neurological damage.

While the cause of transient global amnesia is not known, experts believe that there could be a link between TGA and a history of migraines. However, the factors that contribute in the link of these two conditions are still not fully understood.

Common Signs Of Transient Global Amnesia

• Sudden onset of confusion and memory loss
• Inability to form new memories
• Repetitive questioning about their situation
• Disorientation regarding their location and recent events
• Retention of personal identity and recognition of familiar people
• Preserved ability to perform complex tasks, language, and other cognitive functions