Eli Lilly will partner only with telehealth firms that agree to stop selling compound versions of its drug Zepbound or Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy, a move that sidelines Hims & Hers Health, Bloomberg reported June 10.
Eli Lilly CFO Lucas Montarce told the news outlet that new agreements with platforms such as Ro and LifeMD prohibit compounding tirzepatide and semaglutide now that the shortages have ended.
Hims & Hers, which previously partnered with Novo Nordisk to offer Wegovy, had hoped for a similar deal with Eli Lilly. Hims & Hers said it still plans to offer compounded versions in limited cases in which personalized treatment is medically necessary.
Eli Lilly stated that continued mass compounding of the drugs is illegal and puts patient safety at risk.
“Anyone continuing to sell mass compounded tirzepatide or semaglutide products, including by referring to them as ‘personalized,’ ‘tailored’ or something similar, is breaking the law and putting patient safety at risk,” an Eli Lilly spokesperson told Bloomberg. “We will continue to work with regulators and take other legal actions to stop them.”
Hims & Hers maintains it complies with state and federal regulations.
