In this eye-opening episode, Dr. Lindsey Elmore exposes the chaos unfolding in the UK as Mounjaro (weight loss/diabetes medication) prices skyrocket 170% overnight—jumping from £92 to £330 per month. Discover how Eli Lilly's "European price matching" triggered panic buying, crashed pharmacy websites, and left patients spending over £1,000 to stockpile medications. Lindsey examines the real-world impact, even in the U.S.: supply shortages, hoarding behaviors, and the unfair advantage given to those who can afford to bulk-buy versus patients with genuine medical needs. A must-listen for understanding how arbitrary pharmaceutical pricing decisions affect real people's access to life-sustaining medications.
Main Topic Introduction
- 00:00-00:30: Discussion focuses on Mounjaro (weight loss/diabetes medication) pricing crisis in the UK
The Price Hike- 00:37-01:13: Massive 170% price increase starting September 1st, 2025
- Current price: £92/month
- New price: £330/month (up from planned £122/month)
- 01:25-01:41: Eli Lilly justifies increase as "adjusting prices to match the rest of Europe"
Pharmacy Response- 00:37 & 01:41-02:01: UK's largest online pharmacy "Pharmacy2U" freezes prices, then stops sales entirely
Panic Buying Crisis- 02:09-02:34: Patients stockpiling medications before price hikes
- 02:22: Pharmacies offering 3, 6, or 9-month bundles
- 02:44-02:59: Real examples: patients buying 7-8 pens, spending over £1,000 in panic purchases
- 04:35: Pharmacy websites crashing from demand
Supply Chain Impact- 02:59-03:24: Hoarding strains supply chains and prevents access for patients who truly need the medication
- 03:24-03:44: Medical experts urge against hoarding injectable medications at home
Core Issues Identified- 03:51-04:12: Access and fairness concerns - distinguishing between medical necessity vs. cosmetic use
- 05:37-05:57: Drug prices change "for no reason at all" with no patient input
- 06:08-06:27: Need to prioritize patients who medically need medications over those who can afford to stockpile
Solutions Proposed- 04:59-05:27: Work with legislators through existing Inflation Reduction Act framework
- 06:27-06:55: Legislative action needed to control "absurd" arbitrary drug pricing, especially for life-sustaining medications
Episode Conclusion- 07:06-07:14: Show closing: encouraging wise health decisions
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