Countless Americans struggling with obesity are anxiously anticipating a potent new medication from Eli Lilly known as retatrutide, which has shown weight loss effects comparable to those of bariatric surgery.
There are reports, though, that some individuals are bypassing the approval process from the Food and Drug Administration and are instead rushing to obtain it through dubious channels.
Sources point to a single instance in which experimental therapy retatrutide was provided for ‘compassionate use’ https://t.co/OyfooMpTRA pic.twitter.com/NQRh0c5AUh
— STAT (@statnews) June 23, 2026
From STAT News:
STAT has learned that Eli Lilly and the FDA have allowed one person to gain access to the drug through the FDA’s “compassionate use” program, a pathway that gives patients with serious and immediately life-threatening medical issues access to experimental treatments.
This person was a 79-year-old man at the time the request was made in April, according to three sources familiar with the matter. Those sources, who requested anonymity due to fear of reprisals, said it drew the interest of top health officials, suggesting the person receiving this drug was well connected.
The full report is behind a paywall but folks on social media are sharing more – see below.
The White House denies the application was for the current occupant of the Oval Office.
Holy crap, STAT News is reporting that Eli Lilly & the FDA let 1 person access a powerful new weight loss drug through FDA’s “compassionate use” program, which is reserved for people w/ serious and immediately life-threatening conditions.
That one person is believed to be Trump. pic.twitter.com/qZ0N8c9H9D
— Caroline Orr Bueno, Ph.D (@RVAwonk) June 23, 2026
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