Lilly gave experimental obesity drug to 79-year-old
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- Eli Lilly and the FDA approved compassionate use access to experimental obesity drug retatrutide for a 79-year-old man, with the request made in April, according to three anonymous sources
- Retatrutide, Eli Lilly's experimental obesity drug, has shown bariatric-surgery levels of weight loss in trials and remains awaiting FDA approval
- The FDA's compassionate use program is designed for patients with serious and immediately life-threatening medical issues, giving them access to experimental treatments
- Three sources told STAT the request drew interest from top health officials, suggesting to them that the recipient was well-connected
- Millions of Americans with obesity are awaiting access to the drug, and some are already acquiring it through "sketchy means" before regulatory approval
Why it matters: A 79-year-old received access to an unapproved obesity drug through a program reserved for life-threatening conditions while millions of Americans await standard FDA approval. That top health officials reportedly got involved is the source's own evidence that the patient was connected — raising questions about whether the compassionate use pathway is being used as intended.
