Most notably, pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly has launched legal action against four telehealth companies. These companies are peddling compounded versions of Eli Lilly’s weight loss drug Zepbound and diabetes treatment Mounjaro. Eli Lilly recently filed lawsuits against new tech startups Mochi Health, Fella Health, Willow Health and Henry Meds. They claim these companies are deceiving consumers regarding drugs that are “untested” and “unapproved.”
By claiming that these telehealth kiosks are diverting customers from its clinically proven medicines, the pharmaceutical behemoth is spreading lies and misinformation. These medications are created under relatively easily enforced strict safety standards. Eli Lilly is taking a scorched earth legal approach. Their aim is to prevent the marketing and sale of tirzepatide, the active ingredient in both Zepbound and Mounjaro.
Earlier this month, Eli Lilly filed lawsuits against two pharmacies for allegedly misrepresenting their products as personalized versions of its drugs. Industry’s fearmongering aside, this latest wave of litigation just goes to show how the company is committed to protecting its intellectual property and keeping patients safe.
Though Mochi Health, one of the companies currently producing such products, has said it will still produce compounded versions of tirzepatide. ConnectCEO Myra Ahmad is bullish about their new, unique approach. She hopes that providing more individualized therapy will allow the business to sidestep litigation threats.
“The beauty of medicine is really that they get full autonomy to decide what is the best way to manage their patients.” – Myra Ahmad
In its federal lawsuit, Eli Lilly alleges that the compounded versions marketed by telehealth companies bypass the same strict testing and approval processes. Yet their own products have made it through these in-depth assessments. The complaints shine a light on troubling patient safety issues and the dangers patients face when trying unregulated drugs.
Those cases, like all others on the court’s docket, are anticipated to take several months if not years to work their way through the court system. As of now, Mochi Health, Fella Health, Willow Health and Henry Meds have yet to respond to CNBC’s inquiries about the lawsuits. They are continuing to play dead on the issue.