Eli Lilly warns about dangers of fake and counterfeit Mounjaro, Zepbound [Video]

Pharmaceutical company Eli Lilly issued a warning in an open letter on Thursday about the dangers of fake and compounded versions of its diabetes and weight loss medications Mounjaro and Zepbound.

The company also announced new lawsuits against wellness centers and medical spas advertising these drugs.

Eli Lilly’s main competitor, Novo Nordisk, which sells Ozempic and Wegovy, has also filed lawsuits against med spas purportedly selling knockoff versions.

Both companies say the extraordinary demand for these drugs has led to shortages, which has in turn prompted black and grey market sales of other versions of their products that may pose a health risk to consumers.

In its Thursday open letter, Eli Lilly issued a major warning to consumers, saying the company is “deeply” concerned about the proliferation of online sales of fake versions of its products, and that people should never put products labeled “research purposes only” or “not for …