FDA blocks affordable weight loss drugs, favors corporations

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A federal judge’s recent ruling in favor of the FDA has sparked controversy over access to popular weight-loss and diabetes medications. The decision effectively ends the shortage designation for tirzepatide, a key ingredient in drugs like Zepbound and Mounjaro, potentially limiting affordable options for patients.

The FDA’s original 2022 shortage declaration had allowed compounding pharmacies to produce lower-cost versions of GLP-1 medications, providing an alternative to expensive branded drugs like Ozempic from pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk.

The situation took a turn in October when the Biden administration’s FDA attempted to reverse the shortage status. This move was temporarily halted by legal action from the Outsourcing Facilities Association (OFA), representing compounding pharmacies. However, the recent court ruling now requires these smaller pharmacies to cease production of compounded tirzepatide immediately, while a decision on semaglutide remains pending.

A former Merck scientists tells the twisted inside story of what happened behind the scenes when the FDA learned that Merck’s MMR vaccine wasn’t meeting potency standards. Merck says it fixed the problem and denies any wrongdoing. How to watch: https://t.co/1zR7xf8Vn9 pic.twitter.com/cEOxCVuhyQ

— Full Measure News (@FullMeasureNews) March 7, 2025

“Is considering all of its options regarding the judgment, including an appeal,” stated OFA Chair Lee Rosebush regarding the tirzepatide ruling.

The court’s decision could significantly impact healthcare costs, as it reinstates large pharmaceutical companies’ control over these medications’ production and distribution. This shift particularly affects uninsured patients and those whose insurance doesn’t cover weight-loss medications, as compounded versions typically offer substantial cost savings.

The OFA’s legal challenge against the FDA highlighted concerns about the agency’s actions “abruptly depriving patients of much needed treatment and artificially raising drug prices.”

Another FDA official just landed a top job at Pfizer. How can we trust drug regulation when the same people approving the drugs later work for the companies that profit from these drugs? The revolving door keeps spinning.#BigPharma #FDACorruption #ConflictOfInterest pic.twitter.com/DdptNQ04YV

— Dr. Josef (@taperclinic) March 8, 2025

The anticipated end to the semaglutide shortage has already disrupted the healthcare market. Telehealth provider Hims & Hers Health Inc experienced a 27 percent stock decline after announcing the discontinuation of their compounded semaglutide products.

Major pharmaceutical companies defend the ruling, with an Eli Lilly spokesperson welcoming the end of what they termed “risky, unapproved knockoffs” of their branded tirzepatide medications, Zepbound and Mounjaro.