Lilly sues six firms over alleged illegal sales of obesity drug retatrutide
CNBC • • business
Key Points:
- Eli Lilly has filed six lawsuits against U.S. companies, including compounding pharmacies and medical spas, accused of illegally selling black-market versions of its experimental obesity drug retatrutide, which is still in Phase 3 clinical trials and not yet approved by regulators.
- The company highlighted that retatrutide products sold on the black market are unverified and unsafe, urging social media platforms, payment processors, and regulators to take stronger action against unauthorized sellers.
- The FDA has declared sales of unapproved retatrutide and other GLP-1 products illegal, with U.S. Customs and Border Protection reporting a significant increase in interceptions of illicit GLP-1 drug shipments in 2025.
- Lilly has referred over 200 individuals and entities to various enforcement and regulatory bodies, emphasizing the health risks posed by these unregulated products.
- The lawsuits target specific companies including Aesthetic Envy Cosmetic Centers, Astra, Legendary Peptides, Striker Pharmacy, Texas Peptides, and Lone Star Peptide.
