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Randomized Controlled Trial
. 2025 Jun;42(6):2821-2832.
doi: 10.1007/s12325-025-03194-8. Epub 2025 Apr 18.

Analysis of Tirzepatide Acquisition Costs and Weight Reduction Outcomes in the United Kingdom: Insights from the SURMOUNT-1 Study

Marc Evans  1 , William Evans  2 , Fiona Godbeer  3 , Laurienne Edgar  3 , Erik Spaepen  4 , Alun Lloyd Davies  3
Affiliations
Randomized Controlled Trial

Analysis of Tirzepatide Acquisition Costs and Weight Reduction Outcomes in the United Kingdom: Insights from the SURMOUNT-1 Study

Marc Evans et al. Adv Ther. 2025 Jun.

Abstract

Introduction: Tirzepatide, an anti-obesity medication, demonstrated significant weight loss efficacy in the SURMOUNT-1 randomized controlled trial. This analysis evaluates the cost-efficiency of tirzepatide in the UK by linking clinical outcomes to drug acquisition costs.

Methods: Data from SURMOUNT-1 (2539 participants across global sites) were used to assess tirzepatide's (5, 10, and 15 mg) impact on weight reduction over 72 weeks (72W), with a focus on drug acquisition costs and cost/weight loss outcome. Cost needed to treat and cost-to-target analyses were performed to determine the economic value of achieving specific weight loss goals and improvements in body mass index (BMI).

Results: Tirzepatide demonstrated significant weight loss, with greater reductions at higher doses. Cost/kilogram of weight loss at 72W was £102.86, £85.41, and £89.24 for 5, 10, and 15 mg, respectively. Average per-patient costs at 72W for 5% weight loss were £1852, £1971, and £2186 (5, 10, and 15 mg, respectively; average 28-day costs: £102.90, £109.52, and £121.47). Average per-patient costs for 10% weight loss were £2258, £2209, and £2338 (28-day costs: £125.43, £122.69, and £129.88). The 15 mg dose was the most cost-efficient for achieving higher weight loss targets (15% and 20%).

Conclusions: In the SURMOUNT-1 study, tirzepatide was cost-efficient in the UK for weight management, demonstrating favourable economic outcomes relative to its efficacy in reducing body weight and improving BMI. It provided additional health benefits, including reduced risks for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular events and improved mental health. Tirzepatide contributed to cost savings and improved efficiency within the healthcare system by decreasing the burden of obesity-related conditions, thus enhancing overall healthcare resource allocation. These findings support its inclusion in clinical practice guidelines and healthcare formularies. Further research is needed to explore real-world adherence, patient-centred outcomes, and the long-term sustainability of weight loss with tirzepatide.

Keywords: Cost analysis; Drug acquisition; Obesity; Tirzepatide; Weight loss.

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Conflict of interest statement

Declarations. Conflict of Interest: Marc Evans and Alun Lloyd Davies report no conflicts of interest for the work under consideration for publication. Erik Spaepen reports receiving consulting fees from Eli Lilly and Company. William Evans, and Fiona Godbeer are employees and minor shareholders of Eli Lilly and Company. Laurienne Edgar is a former employee of Eli Lilly and Company. Ethical Approval: This article is based on previously conducted studies and does not contain any new studies with human participants or animals performed by any of the authors. The SURMOUNT-1 study received the necessary ethical approvals from all study sites, obtained informed patient consent to participate and was conducted in accordance with the Declaration of Helsinki.

Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
Plot of tirzepatide cost for each dose (cumulative cost at a given time point) vs. percentage change in body weight achieved at that time point. TZP tirzepatide
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Plot of tirzepatide cost vs. kg weight lost by Week 72. TZP tirzepatide
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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