Drugmaker Eli Lilly Files Lawsuits Against Medical Spas Selling Fake Weight Loss Drugs

Eli Lilly previously sent cease-and-desist letters before pursuing legal action.

By Thea Felicity

Oct 21 2024, 10:16 AM EDT

Pharmaceutical Company Eli Lilly Headquarters — INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - MARCH 17: A flag flies above the headquarters campus of Eli Lilly and Company on March 17, 2024 in Indianapolis, Indiana. Lilly, a pharmaceutical company, employs more than 12.000 people in Indianapolis and more than 42,000 worldwide. Scott Olson/Getty Images

Despite releasing an affordable version of Zepbound, Eli Lilly found another case of fake weight loss drugs that contain their active ingredient.

Also known as tirzepatide, this is what Eli Lilly's proven-effective weight loss drugs have. Three medical spas and online vendors were caught selling them but in other fake weight loss drugs.

Reuters shared that the drugmaker will be taking legal action against vendors, called, MangoRx, Genesis Lifestyle Medicine, and Pivotal Peptides. Their tirzepatide-containing products were offered in different forms, such as dissolvable tables.

Currently, tirzepatide was removed from the FDA's list of medicines in short supply, but the company clarified that this is not connected to their decision.

Eli Lilly Sues Vendors Selling Fake Weight Loss Drugs

The lawsuit, as obtained by Reuters, stated that Pivotal Peptides claim to provide a research-backed tirzepatide. MangoRx sells a compounded version online that can be taken orally, called 'Trim,' which has no evidence yet because the FDA only approved tirzepatide in injectable form. The Genesis Lifestyle additionally claimed that they sell and administer their own compounded version of the drug.

However, Lilly believes that selling these directly to consumers without a medical professional's prescription will pose potential risks to their health.

The drugmaker company already sent a cease-and-desist letter to the said companies before taking legal action. Lilly explained that these are part of their efforts to protect consumers as defendants were found making false claims about the effectiveness and safety of their products.

Now, this won't be the first legal action against similar cases. Last year, BioSpace learned that Eli Lilly sued wellness centers, over two dozen medical spas, and pharmacies for selling products that contain tirzepatide.

Currently, Eli Lilly is requesting court orders to stop these vendors from selling any products claiming to contain tirzepatide. The drugmaker will also be seeking unspecified financial compensation for the damages caused by their actions.