Eli Lilly Sues Some Vendors For Unauthorized Sale Of Fake Weight-Loss Drug

Eli Lilly And Co LLY has reportedly sued some medical spas and online vendors for allegedly selling unauthorized versions of tirzepatide, the active ingredient in its weight-loss medication, Zepbound.

Earlier this month, the FDA said the Eli Lilly tirzepatide injection shortage was resolved.

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With the update, the U.S. pharmaceutical giant has issued hundreds of cease-and-desist letters to telehealth companies, compounding pharmacies, and medical spas, demanding they halt the production, sale, and promotion of products that imitate Mounjaro and Zepbound.

However, Eli Lilly emphasized that the resolution of supply issues did not influence its legal actions against Pivotal Peptides, MangoRx, and Genesis Lifestyle Medicine of Nevada. Instead, the U.S. pharma giant claims the vendors are offering counterfeit versions of tirzepatide without FDA approval.

Reuters, citing the lawsuits filed in federal and state courts in Indiana, Texas, and Washington, noted that the medical spas and online vendors were engaged in misleading advertising and promoting products with false claims of containing tirzepatide.

Reuters noted that the company is seeking court orders to halt the sales of these products and is also pursuing unspecified monetary damages.

On Friday, the National Community Pharmacists Association and Alliance for Pharmacy Compounding noted that the FDA stated in its motion that during the reevaluation and until two weeks after the FDA makes its decision, the FDA does not intend to take action against the plaintiffs in the case for violations of the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act arising from conditions that depend on tirzepatide’s inclusion on the FDA drug shortage list.

Price Action: LLY stock is down 1.06% at $908.26 at last check Monday.

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