Eli Lilly has initiated legal action against four telehealth companies—Mochi Health, Blow Health, Willow Health, and Henry Med—alleging deceptive practices in the sale of its weight loss drug Zepbound and the diabetes treatment Mounjaro. The lawsuit, filed on Wednesday, claims these companies are marketing “untested, unapproved drugs” and misrepresenting their relationship with Lilly. They are accused of offering personalized treatment options while mass-marketing slightly altered versions of Lilly’s drugs to evade FDA regulations. Some of these companies have reportedly been selling unstudied formulations, like oral tablets and drops.
Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro faced supply shortages in late 2022, prompting pharmacies and other facilities to produce these treatments—a process known as “harmony.” The shortage of Weygovy, a weight loss drug from Novo Nordisk, has further fueled demand for GLP-1 formulations online. In an attempt to sidestep FDA scrutiny, some pharmacies continue to create slightly altered versions of Lilly’s drugs despite regulatory warnings.
Mochi Health, one of the defendants, intends to continue offering a combined version of Tilzepatide, claiming that personalized treatments will shield it from legal repercussions. Lilly contends that an unlicensed individual has undue influence over prescribing decisions at Mochi, constituting illegal medical practices. They have similarly accused Fella Health of directing patient care through corporate influence. The lawsuits aim to halt the marketing and sale of Tilzepatide by these companies, a process that may extend for months before a resolution is reached.
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