The Shift Follows STAT's Inquiry About Expanded-access Requests From Several Doctors Who Had Not Received Replies

Eli Lilly confirmed Monday it will let more patients apply for early access to retatrutide, an unapproved obesity drug, six weeks after STAT reported the company granted a single 79-year-old patient special access. The shift follows STAT's inquiry about expanded-access requests from several doctors who had not received replies. A Lilly spokesperson said the company believes it is medically appropriate to make authentic retatrutide available before FDA approval for a limited number of patients who meet specific criteria and cannot join a clinical trial, consistent with FDA guidance. The company said it is actively reviewing provider requests.