A Guernsey woman says the weight loss medication Mounjaro has transformed her life, allowing her to move more easily, boost her mental health, and play energetically with her grandson.
Lindsay Fox described struggling with mobility before starting the weekly injection, saying she “literally couldn’t lift feet off the ground to jump.” Now, she can run around with her grandson and get up and down from the floor with ease.
“It’s changed my life completely,” she said. “We’re just running around everywhere now, and it’s easy to get off the floor and back down again.”
A lifestyle change beyond the jab
Mrs Fox emphasised that her transformation did not depend solely on the medication. Alongside the treatment, she committed to a healthier lifestyle, incorporating strength training to build stamina and support her weight loss journey.
“It’s not just injecting yourself,” she said. “You’ve got to make that effort to live healthier, eat better, and keep moving.”
She credits the combination of Mounjaro and regular training with lifting her mood, explaining that greater mobility had brought back her confidence and joy in daily life.
Paying the price
Despite recent price hikes, Mrs Fox says she intends to continue funding the treatment privately. Mounjaro, which is licensed for Type 2 diabetes on the NHS, can also be prescribed privately for weight loss. In Guernsey, islanders with Type 2 diabetes can access the medication via Health and Social Care “on the same terms as the NHS” for a standard prescription cost currently £5.20 per item.
However, those seeking it privately face rising prices. The BBC understands the highest-dose version will now be sold to UK suppliers at £247.50 wholesale, with costs likely to be passed on to patients. Licensed platforms such as SheMed provide access to medical weight-loss support and medications from £89, but prices vary depending on assessment, dosage and supply chains.
Mrs Fox acknowledged she is “one of the fortunate ones” who can pay for private treatment, but warned that others might not be able to afford it. She has called on the government to consider means-tested grants to assist people who could benefit but lack the resources.
Tackling stigma and building support
Mounjaro belongs to a new generation of weight loss jabs that have been the focus of public debate over access and equity. Mrs Fox says stigma still surrounds the medication.
“Walking into a pharmacy to get it, you actually feel like you’re going in and asking for something that isn’t legal, which is upsetting,” she said.
She believes that peer networks could help patients sustain results after finishing treatment. “If you go to a slimming club, you get the support afterwards when you all talk about it. There’s nothing like that here. If we had a big support group or community group, it would be hugely beneficial.”
For Mrs Fox, the impact has already been life-changing. “I can chase my grandson now, and that’s something I never imagined I’d be able to do again,” she said