STAT+: After Eli Lilly granted one man special access to obesity drug, doctors struggle to get answers

Some doctors are seeking early access to Lilly’s retatrutide Adobe Lizzy leads STAT’s coverage of the FDA. Her stories explore the relationship between politics and science at the FDA, industry influence, and the agency’s ability to protect and promote public health. Confidential tips can be sent on Signal at lizzylaw.53.Elaine’s stories explore the boom in new obesity treatments, new drug payment models, the ways companies are affected by FDA changes, and the emerging psychedelics drug sector. She co-writes The Readout newsletter, and co-hosts STAT’s weekly biotech podcast, The Readout Loud. You can reach Elaine on Signal at elaineywchen.70. Last month, STAT reported that Eli Lilly granted a single 79-year-old patient special access to retatrutide, an unapproved obesity drug that has demonstrated bariatric-surgery levels of weight loss. Since then, at least a handful of clinicians have tried to seek the same access for their patients. Two of them haven’t received answers from the drugmaker for weeks; one heard back on Monday, only after STAT reached out to Lilly with questions for this story, that his patient might qualify for access to the drug. The lack of clarity from Lilly raises new questions about why the company gave extraordinary access to an experimental obesity drug to a single patient. Clinicians are calling for more transparency from Lilly on whether the company plans to expand access, or whether this was a one-time, special circumstance. STAT+ Exclusive Story Already have an account? Log in This article is exclusive to STAT+ subscribers Unlock this article — plus in-depth analysis, newsletters, premium events, and news alerts. Already have an account? Log in View All Plans To read the rest of this story subscribe to STAT+. Subscribe Lizzy leads STAT’s coverage of the FDA. Her stories explore the relationship between politics and science at the FDA, industry influence, and the agency’s ability to protect and promote public health. Confidential tips can be sent on Signal at lizzylaw.53. National Biotech Reporter Elaine’s stories explore the boom in new obesity treatments, new drug payment models, the ways companies are affected by FDA changes, and the emerging psychedelics drug sector. She co-writes The Readout newsletter, and co-hosts STAT’s weekly biotech podcast, The Readout Loud. You can reach Elaine on Signal at elaineywchen.70.