"Eli Lilly Expands Access and Takes Stand on Drug Use Amidst Industry Shifts"

Eli Lilly has launched LillyDirect, a telehealth platform designed to streamline access to its weight loss drug, Zepbound, and other medications. The platform connects patients with independent telehealth providers and prescription delivery services. While the initiative aims to ensure patients receive genuine medications and facilitate the use of coupons, healthcare professionals express concerns over the potential for biased treatment and the commodification of medicine. Critics argue that direct-to-consumer medication services may prioritize company profits over patient care, and that in-person exams are crucial for comprehensive obesity treatment. Despite these concerns, the trend towards telehealth platforms for prescribing weight loss medications is growing, with companies like Ro and WeightWatchers also entering the space.