Eli Lilly’s diabetes medication, Mounjaro, has received the endorsement of the UK’s healthcare cost-effectiveness authority, which deems it a promising option for individuals with poorly managed type 2 diabetes.
The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), in its draft final guidance, estimated that approximately 180,000 patients could benefit from this novel treatment.
Mounjaro, also known as tirzepatide, has garnered attention for its potential in addressing obesity as well. A decision regarding its use for weight loss in the United States is expected later this year, leading to a surge in Lilly’s stock price as investors anticipate blockbuster status for the drug.
The final guidance from NICE is set to be released on October 11, following which the drug will be accessible within the UK’s National Health Service (NHS) within 90 days. NICE serves as the government agency responsible for assessing whether medicines should be integrated into the NHS.
Notably, in July, NICE had requested additional data from Lilly concerning the drug’s benefits.
This development coincides with nationwide shortages of Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic, which belongs to the same drug class as Mounjaro and is approved in the UK for type 2 diabetes treatment.
As of now, Eli Lilly has not provided an immediate response to Reuters’ request for comment.
Diabetes UK, an advocacy organization, conveyed to Reuters this week that the increasing “off-label” usage of Ozempic for weight loss has negatively impacted individuals with type 2 diabetes who were prescribed the drug but encountered difficulties obtaining their prescriptions.
