Lilly’s Mounjaro and Zepbound No Longer in Shortage; FDA to Limit Cheaper Alternatives
The FDA has officially removed popular weight loss drugs, including Lilly’s Mounjaro and Zepbound, from its drug shortage list, signaling the end of a nearly two-year period of scarcity that allowed compounding pharmacies to produce more affordable versions of these medications. “FDA confirmed with the drug’s manufacturer that their stated product availability and manufacturing capacity can meet the present and projected national demand,” the agency said. The shortage, which stemmed from skyrocketing demand, had opened the door for third-party compounders to create alternatives under special FDA rules designed to address supply issues. With the resolution of the shortage, these compounding pharmacies are now restricted from producing the cheaper knock-off versions, marking a possible shift in access to lower-cost options for patients seeking the popular weight loss treatments. Lilly, formerly Eli Lilly, confirmed to the FDA that its production capacity can now meet the current and fut...