By Ludwig Burger
(Reuters) - Online pharmacies and slimming clinics are cutting prices for Wegovy and Mounjaro in Britain just months after the weight-loss drugs were launched there, as initial supply shortages ease.
But growing competition between retailers has raised fears that some patients who buy the drugs themselves, rather than relying on the National Health Service (NHS), will miss out on long-term aftercare if they keep switching providers.
Self-paying patients already account for a big chunk of revenues from Novo Nordisk (CSE:NOVOb)'s Wegovy and rival Mounjaro, made by Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY).
And with analysts estimating the new generation of weight-loss therapies could soon be worth $100 billion globally per year, they are increasingly being wooed by drug retailers.
Simple Online Pharmacy in February cut the price of starter doses of Mounjaro to 159 pounds ($198) for a one-month supply from 179 pounds. It reduced that price further on Monday, to 149 pounds, and also marked down the higher Mounjaro strengths that patients take later.
The retailer, which offers online access to doctors who can prescribe privately, told Reuters demand for the new obesity drugs was unprecedented and still growing, but that Mounjaro's launch had "significantly alleviated" pressure on supply chains.
A survey by the company of more than 500 users of Wegovy or Mounjaro showed that a third had tried to access the medication via the state-funded NHS but found it was either too difficult or took too long.
Mayfair Weight Loss Clinic and London Slimming Clinic, which also provide online prescription and pharmacy services, have cut prices too of either Mounjaro or Wegovy in recent months.
Darrin Baines, a professor of health economics and founder of consultancy Intelligent Parameters, said the market was opening up after initial supply constraints.
"The (drug retail) industry is trying to find out what its margin is on this ... Pharmacies with an online business are trying to offer deals to win customers," said Baines.
Tasha, from the southern English town of Battle, said she is on her second month of Mounjaro injections bought through Simple Online Pharmacy and its prescription services, but regularly scans the internet and social media for better deals.
"There's a lot of options out there for the best price," she told Reuters, speaking on condition that her surname is not disclosed to protect her privacy. "The cost-of-living crisis impacts everybody."
She paid 183 pounds for her four-week Mounjaro starter kit but received a 30-pound refund thanks to Simple's pledge to match cheaper offers from other registered pharmacies. That included online medical consultation and prescription services.
"If they stopped the price guarantee, I would definitely switch to somewhere else," Tasha said.
GROWING COMPETITION
Britain, where obesity rates are among the highest in Europe, is one of only a few countries where the powerful weight-loss drugs are available. Wegovy was launched there in September, with Mounjaro following in February.
Its experience gives a glimpse into how the fight for patients among private suppliers could develop as availability improves. Novo said in January it expected Wegovy prices to fall as volumes increase and competition heats up.
Last month, prescriptions of Lilly's drug in the United States, where it is called Zepbound and was launched in December, overtook those for Wegovy, the market leader since it debuted in June 2021.
The drugmakers have been unable to keep pace with demand for the weekly injections, which have been shown to reduce weight by as much as 20%.
They are a new class of drugs called GLP-1 agonists developed for type 2 diabetes that also reduce food cravings and cause the stomach to empty more slowly.
Lilly said it hasn't changed its prices. It charges British distributors 92 pounds excluding value-added tax for a 2.5 mg four-week starter dose, with prices going up to 122 pounds for the highest 15 mg strength.
Novo said pricing is at the discretion of providers who are delivering the drug to patients. The company will release first-quarter results on Thursday.
It added that treatment decisions need to be made in consultation with a healthcare professional and require strict medical supervision.
RISKS OF SWAPPING
Though expressing sympathy for patients seeking value for money, obesity experts told Reuters that promotions could encourage people to shop around between suppliers, putting at risk the consistent supervision the treatments require.
Side-effects can include nausea and diarrhoea, which may lead to dehydration. Patients should be watched for any sign of inflammation of the pancreas.
To qualify for access to Wegovy via the NHS, which is still appraising Mounjaro, patients need a body mass index (BMI) of at least 35 and one or more weight-related illnesses, with some exceptions. For now, they must also go through hospital-based specialist consultations.
The NHS did not respond to a request for comment. The government said last year it had capacity to treat about 35,000 patients.
Tasha said her family doctor denied her an NHS prescription even though she meets the criteria because the specialist hospital services were not available in her area.
Nick Finer, a University College London professor who focuses on cardiovascular disease, warned that retail marketing of the new drugs could trivialise their side-effects and the medical imperative to stay on the therapy long-term.
"The idea that these have become commercial consumer products like vitamins or protein supplements is quite wrong," said Finer, warning patients against changing medical service provider or even pausing treatment based on price.
Simple Online Pharmacy said it provides a holistic weight-care service including access to lifestyle support and clinical care. The Mayfair and London Slimming clinics did not respond to emails seeking comment.
($1 = 0.8013 pounds)