Northampton pharmacist says those on weight loss injections should only go to reputable sellers
There are fears people may look for cheaper options as Mounjaro prices are set to rise today by 170%.
A pharmacist from Northampton warns patients on weight loss injections should only be getting it from reputable suppliers.
It's as the price of drug Mounjaro rises today by 170% with worries people may look to cheaper or reputable places in an effort to stockpile.
The price for the highest dose goes from £122 to £330 a month.
Last week the maker of the weight loss drug paused shipments to the UK ahead of the huge price hike.
Now we are in September it's producers Eli Lilly are due to restart deliveries.
Superintendent pharmacist at Regent Pharmacy Akshay Patel offers weight loss drugs along with programmes of support for healthy habits.
He says people shouldn't risk going to suppliers that aren't qualified to sell the weight loss medication:
"The supply of medication from a pharmacy is going to be very well regulated and provide by a clinicians that knows what they're doing and this cannot be guaranteed in other vendors."
The White House is pushing drugmakers to raise medicine prices in Europe, to allow for cuts in the US.
Akshay has been providing weight loss support for two years, including the injections Mounjaro and semaglutide often known by the brand name Wegovy, and is supporting around 160 people with weight loss management.
He says if Mounjaro supplies are disrupted, patients have other options:
"We have experience of transferring patients from Mounjaro to semaglutide. Semaglutide prices have remained the same so this could be another option."
Akshay says these drugs need a prescription and it's important people who use them are supported by professionals:
"We've always maintained this (injections) are just one tool in the Swiss army knife of management tools we can use. Lasting results come from changing mindset, lifestyle changes, healthy easting and regular activity.
He says for his patients he has a strong relationship with his suppliers and he isn't worried he will run out of stock.
Olivier Picard, chairman of the National Pharmacy Association (NPA), said: "Pricing is a matter for the manufacturers and pharmacies will do all they can to support patients when prices change.
"This rebate will mitigate some of the impact of the increase in Mounjaro prices faced by pharmacies but patients should still anticipate seeing a rise in prices from September 1.
"Prices advertised in many pharmacies will already reflect this discount and pharmacies will also have to wait to receive this retrospectively after dispensing.
"Pharmacies will access price rebates if they can as a way of keeping prices accessible.
"Pharmacies are working hard to support their patients and explore if there are options to minimise disruption to their treatment programme."