How many different providers have you used?

[NoNewClothes]

Question for those who’ve been on WLIs for a while - how many providers have you used?

Also I’m wondering if there’s likely to be Black Friday sales, is it a daft idea to stock up?

If you order the next pen when you have done the last dose from the current pen, then you will not have any issue with the 30 day limit, if you store each pen at room temp. Which is what I would assume that poster does, as she specifically doesn't want to have more than 1 pen at a time. And that was one poster, who is storing the pen correctly according to the instructions!

Ah ok, I didnt read it that way. I would be worried about not receiving the next pen in time. MedExpress seem so slow, both times they have taken several times to approve, then always a delay on dispatch. Lotus were fantastic though so clearly different for each provider.

I was also thinking about golden dose which stretches to almost the 30 days so then wouldnt need next pen till the following week.

1
I've stuck with the same supplier.

Just one. Been on it 14 months and can’t be areas with faff of changing providers all the time.

Two but I’m looking now to switch to a maintenance provider because my BMI is now 23.3.

I absolutely understand why as a HCP you would feel this. Unfortunately the vast majority of users of this medication cannot access it via their GP so are reliant on what are essentially mail order pharmacies and the associated issues with Royal Mail/DPD etc deliveries as well as occasional stock issues that have and probably will happen again. I am secure and confident in my ability to read instructions and ensure strict temperature and hygiene. I would not risk ordering a pen to arrive just as the last one ran out under the current system. We saw the impact of this on those who did not have a stockpile/buffer all too clearly in August of this year and were not able to access their medication for quite some time. I believe this also happened in 2024 when there was a shortage.

You can absolutely stop for six months and then start again, without having to meet the original prescribing criteria. Some pharmacies allow a break of a year.

Stupid question, but why are people stock piling it?

And isn't that incredibly expensive? And your GP will get notified by more than one company.

I have signed up with Voy for three months.

I think it’s what the previous poster has explained about a reaction to possible issues with supply and being left high and dry. Plus wanting to take advantage of special offers and discounts to get pens at a better price, given how expensive they are now. That’s why I’ve just ordered my next pen, even though I have one in hand already.

If you do a fifth dose from each pen, but order every 4 weeks then you will eventually get a pen or more ahead without it being expensive.

My GP has been notified by several different companies. They aren't going to be checking the dates and trying to work out whether I’ve ordered ahead or not. The GP practice just updates my notes and that’s it.

Yes, but some posters have mentioned ordering several in one month

Your GP would then get a bunch of notifications in a short period of time

Also, I'm quite sure I had to tick a box saying I had not got the same medication from anywhere else, but I suppose people aren't bothered about it

It seems strange to be worried about saving money and then have a bunch of spare

also surprised to hear that people have black Friday sale on a medical product

This thread made me look at my current supplier (I've only had two) and there's a BF sale on, up to midnight tonight. Just ordered another 5mg pen at £40 discount. So will have in my fridge two unopened pens and one opened.

Can you get pens from different suppliers at the same time?

Just two
Med express which took ages to arrive.. Now l use Ashcroft pharmacy.. ordered today used code..Used BF15 and got 15% off.

I really don’t think the GPs have systems to monitor this sort of thing. And really it isn’t their remit. My GP barely cares about the prescription medication that they supply me for my BP. I could order that early every time and stockpile loads.

As already said on the thread some places will let you order a bundle of three pens at a time, so expecting you to order ahead. People use credit cards to pay, or pay in three type options to spread the cost. If you know you’re going to be on it for several more months and you are on a settled dose then it makes sense to take advantage of any deals or discounts that are available. Many people expect to be taking Mounjaro long term and have budgeted for that.

When I've had stuff from the GP before, they've actually had a pharmacist phone off and check things and also just to see how you're getting on if anything is on repeat

Perhaps we are lucky

When you say people are ordering a bundle or three at a time, I think what I got from Voy might be described as a bundle but it's just a commitment to a three month plan so I get one pen each month

is that what you mean or are you saying that people order three pens upfront?

it's quite overwhelming. I originally planned to be on this for three months as a kickstart. But I feel it's made so much difference. If I can tolerate it for side effectsI will stay on it.

That's another reason why I'm puzzled by stockpiling people seem to get bad side-effects quite suddenly when they've been on it for age and if you need to come off, then you'll have spent money on spare

No I mean 3 pens in one go. It’s not unusual.

I think it’s quite unusual to suddenly get bad side effects and need to stop taking Mounjaro after being on it a long time. I’ve been taking it for 15 months and haven’t had any side effects for almost a year. Been on 10mg for several months and will continue on that dose. So I have no issue with getting a bit ahead with ordering.

Yes I know 🙂 I just said you have to consider this if you are stockpiling and make sure you are with one the pharmacies that support restarting after a gap - they cannot be seen to support sub dosing or stockpiling (although may accept evidence of a legitimate bundle purchase or multiple August 2025 purchase if correct use matches the time lapse since order). I made sure I am with a provider that allow restart for up to a year after order with them as long as bmi above 21.

I initially did it only slightly to have a buffer against late deliveries or shortages - it was easy to do as the supplier I used first start hassling you to reorder after 2 weeks. Also I used 5th dose so over 4 months that gets you a pen ahead.

I then did it to save money based on news in August - otherwise I would never have bought 3 at once. I paid around £139 for each 10mg pen and only use a 5mg dose. Given that the current cost of 10mg is £200-240 with the most reasonable suppliers this has saved me a huge amount of money in recent months.

You said “you can’t just take a 6 month break to use them up then restart with no explanation (unless still meet the starting criteria)”.

Which might make people think you can’t stop for six months to use up a stockpile and then restart. I just wanted to make it clear that you absolutely can do that with the right pharmacy, no explanation is required and neither is a BMI of 30 (or 27 in certain circumstances). I am doing it now, have a little stash from the early days when I used to order when I got the first reminder, have stopped ordering and have until next October to restart if I want to.

I’ve been on MJ since October 2024. I’ve always been with Oushk who’ve been great. I plan to stay with them. I have my current pen and one in stock and I’m about to order another one (maybe two) on their Black Friday discount. I’m on 10mg and hesitating slightly over how many to order as I have 7lb still to lose. BMI is currently 24.2.

I stockpiled before the price increase. Really glad i did, i saved an absolute fortune. Expensive yes but i put it on my 0% interest credit card and paid it off each month. I also took advantage of new customer discounts. I paid max £145 for 12.5mg including postage which would probably be about a hundred pounds more now.
Only 1 company ever notified my GP.

Used Medexpress for 3 months, but on the back of this thread ordered through Bolt last night, 7.5mg for £179 vs £253 with MedExpress - that’s a saving of £74, elated!

The more people shop around the more the standard pricing might lower across the board?

These companies aren’t providing drugs for altruistic reasons. It’s a business to make as much money as they can. Grateful that they exist, don’t get me wrong!

Once your BMI is under 25 moving around is more difficult. I’ve chosen a supplier now that is both reasonably priced and flexible. I won’t be moving unless there is a very good reason to.

Ironically, after asking the questions here, it looks like my delivery might be late - which would be a real pain

So I might be better off placing a new order with one of these companies that promises next day

Who is the least hassle to order with please?