25% extra free!

These weight loss drugs are not cheap. Each pen is designed to be used for four doses lasting four weeks (more on that later) and cost anything from about £130 upwards depending on the dose (stronger dose pens are more expensive). In the UK, Mounjaro is not currently available on the NHS unless you have type-2 diabetes, though this will shortly change for people with a BMI over 40 and three weight related health conditions. So how can it be made more affordable? 

Currently all of the GLP-1 weight loss drugs can only be manufactured by the companies that developed them as they are protected by patent which generally lasts for 20 years. It will sadly be a long time before generic versions become available which will make them hugely cheaper. These drugs have been thoroughly tested over many years, but there is a very slim risk that other effects may still be discovered. Assuming this not to be the case, the impact of truly affordable weight loss medication is very exciting. The lives that it can improve and the impact that it could have on communities, and even countries is quite profound.

Anyhow, back to today and can the injections be cheaper? When you attach the needle to the pen, in order to get a full dose of the drug you 'prime' the needle to get any air out. I have always found if I store the pen in the fridge and then hold the window part in my fist for a minute or two, when I attach the needle a very small drop of the fluid forms at the tip of the needle indicating that it is primed already. The pen contains extra liquid in it for priming etc and after your fourth dose you'll see that the plunger is nowhere near the end of the vial. What I am about to suggest goes against the manufacturer's recommendations and guidance. When you are ready for your next dose, if you attach a needle as you would normally and twist the knurled knob around so that the '1' shows in the needle, it will get stuck about halfway. If you grasp the pen firmly, possibly with the aid of a tea towel, and twist firmly, you'll hear a 'crack' and the knob will continue to turn, though it won't 'click' quite the way it did before. Continue turning to get the '1' in the window and then inject normally. It really is as straightforward as that. Some suppliers give you an extra needle to begin with in case of errors, or you can buy extras from your local pharmacy or online (32g x 4mm). Happy days, you've just got 25% extra free.

If you're a big take-away eater, hopefully you'll find that with your appetite cut you'll be ordering way less. A good friend of mine was a big KFC fan and is now using the injections. Since starting, he hasn't had take-aways and this saving is nearly paying for the injections alone.

When you start to feel confident about your weight loss and people start to notice, you may decide to share how you are achieving your progress with family and friends. I'm not suggesting that you turn into a full on sales monster 'Herbalife' stylee, but some online pharmacies, such as the one I use, offer 'recommend a friend' discounts.