AQW 30876/22-27

Mrs Michelle Guy
Alliance Party
Lagan Valley

Tabled Date: 10/09/2025
Answered On Date: 25/09/2025
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health to detail what his Department is doing to address the impacts of the price increases of GLP-1 medication.

Answer:

Following a request from Eli Lilly reflecting changes in the commercial environment and to ensure continuity of supply for a product that has been subject to systemic long term supply constraints, a UK list price increase for tirzepatide (also known as Mounjaro®) has recently been approved by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC). DHSC has discretion to approve increased UK list prices where there is otherwise a risk of discontinuation, withdrawal or non-supply with negative patient impact and in response to global supply constraints.

While pricing for patients accessing tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) privately is a matter for Eli Lilly and for private providers of weight loss services, I do acknowledge that the recent increase in the UK list price will be of concern to individuals in Northern Ireland currently accessing weight management services from private healthcare providers. Anyone receiving tirzepatide (Mounjaro®) privately should seek advice about their current treatment, and available options, from their private provider.

I do recognise that innovative medicines for weight loss can be an important tool to help people with obesity to lose weight and reduce their risk of severe health complications, when used alongside support for changes to diet and physical activity, and the phased introduction of the Regional Obesity Management Service (ROMS) from 2026 onwards will begin to provide for eligible HSC patients to access lifestyle support and obesity medication, if clinically appropriate.