A 79-year-old patient has received early access to Eli Lilly’s experimental obesity drug, retatrutide, via the FDA’s “compassionate use” program. This highly anticipated drug targets multiple hormones for weight loss and is currently in late-stage trials. The request was made by an NIH clinician for a patient with severe obesity and related conditions who had limited success with another GLP-1 and GIP targeting drug and was deemed ineligible for bariatric surgery. The unique circumstances of this sole approval have sparked speculation, with reports suggesting the patient may be President Donald Trump.
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The FDA’s Expanded Access program, intended for critically ill patients, recently facilitated access to an experimental drug for an unnamed individual. A senior clinician at the NIH requested the drug for a patient with refractory obesity and life-threatening pulmonary hypertension, a request that reportedly garnered significant attention from top health officials, suggesting the patient’s influential status. While the identity remains undisclosed, STAT has inquired with the White House regarding the possibility that the recipient is Donald Trump, who shares similar health concerns and a public interest in obesity medications.
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The US Food and Drug Administration has approved Foundayo, Eli Lilly’s second GLP-1 pill for weight loss, expanding treatment options for obesity. Unlike the previously approved Wegovy pill, Foundayo offers greater convenience by allowing intake at any time of day without food or water restrictions. This new pill, which demonstrated an average weight loss of 12% in clinical trials, aims to improve access and affordability, with Lilly offering programs to reduce out-of-pocket costs for eligible patients. Foundayo joins a growing class of GLP-1 medications that mimic a hormone regulating appetite and digestion, though common gastrointestinal side effects and the need for long-term use remain considerations.
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In response to pressure from the Trump administration, Eli Lilly & Co. has increased prices for its diabetes and anti-obesity drugs, including Mounjaro, in Canada and the UK. The company is aligning prices in these markets to offset potential lower revenue in the United States, where the administration aims to reduce drug costs. Consequently, the wholesale price of Mounjaro has more than doubled in Canada, with the Kwikpen format now costing up to $773 per dose depending on the dosage, which has raised concerns about accessibility. Although Lilly supports the administration’s goal of maintaining the US as a leader in biopharmaceutical research, the company does not support tariffs, which could raise costs and limit patient access.
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Texas is taking legal action against Eli Lilly, alleging the pharmaceutical giant engaged in bribery to influence healthcare providers to prescribe its medications. It’s a bold move, especially considering the long-standing practices within the pharmaceutical industry.
Now, a lot of folks are quick to point out that this isn’t exactly a new phenomenon. For years, drug companies have been wooing doctors with perks, from fancy meals to educational programs and all sorts of seemingly small gifts. The legal boundaries, though, have evolved over time. There was a time when the lines were much blurrier, and the types of inducements offered were far more liberal.… Continue reading
John Q. Hosedrinker 
Matt Underwood