Eli Lilly escalates legal fight against black market for experimental weight-loss drug retatrutide

Eli Lilly & Co. is escalating its legal and enforcement efforts against a growing black market for retatrutide, an unapproved, experimental weight-loss drug. For nearly two years, the company has warned consumers against using counterfeit versions of the injection sold online, at wellness clinics, and at medical spas. Retatrutide has not received regulatory approval anywhere in the world, but Eli Lilly & Co. is counting on the drug to expand its crucial weight-loss franchise.

Lilly retatrutide black market enforcement

• ▪Eli Lilly & Co. is escalating its fight against a growing black market for its experimental weight-loss drug retatrutide as of August 12, 2026.
• ▪Eli Lilly & Co. has warned consumers for nearly two years prior to August 12, 2026, not to use counterfeit versions of the retatrutide injection.
• ▪Eli Lilly & Co. is counting on the experimental drug retatrutide to expand the company's core weight-loss product franchise.

Unapproved drug sales channels

• ▪The experimental weight-loss drug retatrutide has not received regulatory approval from any health authority worldwide as of August 12, 2026.
• ▪Counterfeit versions of Eli Lilly & Co.'s experimental drug retatrutide are being sold online, at wellness clinics, and at medical spas.

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