Compounding Pharmacies v. FDA?

Patti_Real

Patti_Real

Well-known member
Word on the street (via Reuters) is that a group representing compounding pharmacies launched a lawsuit against the FDA. Apparently, they're steamed about the FDA taking Lilly's weight loss and diabetes meds off the 'shortage' list. https://www.reuters.com/legal/compo...ys-weight-loss-drug-shortage-list-2024-10-07/

Since there's supposedly no shortage, these compounding pharmacies can't just whip up their own versions to meet demand. The lawsuit alleges that the FDA didn't do their due diligence and just took Lilly's word for it. Mounjaro was on the shortage list since late 2022. Semaglutide's still on the list, though.
 
Ah, the American way! Suing the government because one mega-corp's profits might be slightly smaller. If it makes drugs cheaper and easier to get for us regular folks, I'm all for it.

But let's be real, this will probably be tied up in court for ages. We might get generic drugs around the time the patent expires. 🤣
 
It's like watching a brawl erupt at a white collar convention out of nowhere! I'm just sitting back with my peptides, watching the chaos unfold. Honestly, I don't even care who prevails anymore. It's purely for entertainment at this point.
 
I kinda feel bad for the FDA. They're getting hammered from all sides. Lilly's already suing them for not classifying Reta as a biologic. Now the compounders are suing them for taking Mounjaro off the shortage list. Honestly, Lilly probably would have sued them if they *hadn't* removed it. I worry we'll see the FDA significantly weakened, which I suspect won't be good long-term.
 
It's not just about me. Cheaper drugs are better for everyone. What if it's a drug that stops all heart attacks or cancer? We need to make sure that a cheaper version isn't blocked. We gotta win now so we can win later.
 
The FDA's hands are tied since the Supreme Court gutted Chevron deference. They had to cave to Lilly or face them in court. This little compounding pharmacy group seems like the lesser of two evils. Undermining regulatory agencies is fun until corporations are running the show.
 
Exactly! That's why I'm concerned. The FDA is already weakened. This case is perfect if you wanted to turn people against the agency even more. It's the FDA siding with a rich company to block access to important meds vs. sick people. They're in a tough spot, but it looks REALLY bad.
 
If compounded versions stay available because of this case, the powers that be would probably just send cease and desist letters to sellers in the US and maybe letters to foreign sellers.

But if millions of us start using gray market because it's the only reasonable option? The government will feel the pressure to stop it. They might tell the DEA to put it on the schedule of controlled substances so people get scared to even try to get it, no matter how easy it is to obtain.
 
Scheduling would have other implications that Lilly doesn't want.

The government won't schedule anti-obesity meds when most people are overweight.
 
I think you're right, and I'm skeptical about the future. I've seen so much death and pain that nobody cares about. Corporations run everything, and there's nothing we can do. I work for a good healthcare system, but it's still about money. People get hurt and it's ignored. Employees get abused by patients and uncaring management. After being selfless for years and getting nothing good, I've become selfish, yes. Can you blame me?

I hope we win this case, but I don't think it will change anything. Doing for myself is all I can do because healthcare only cares about taking my money.
 
I was a nurse in quite a few jobs before I found a place that's better, but these things still happen. I visit people at their homes. A confused patient got a package with a handgun, and his daughter took it before he hurt them or me. I still get treated badly, just less often. It happens when you work with the public in healthcare. Others can chime in with stories, but maybe they'll just use emojis so this doesn't turn into a long thread.
 
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