The Mochi Health lawsuit is a significant and ongoing legal case arising from allegations that Mochi Health, a telemedicine platform specializing in weight loss treatments, unlawfully marketed and sold compounded versions of tirzepatide—an active ingredient in Eli Lilly’s FDA-approved drugs Mounjaro and Zepbound—outside of authorized regulatory guidelines. Filed in early 2025 by pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly, the lawsuit claims that Mochi Health misled patients, violated corporate practice of medicine laws, and exposed consumers to unapproved and potentially unsafe medications.
Background and Origins of the Lawsuit
Mochi Health operates a telehealth platform where patients consult with licensed physicians and receive prescriptions for weight loss drugs, including GLP-1 medications like tirzepatide. However, following the FDA lifting pandemic-related compounding exemptions in early 2023, Eli Lilly and Procter & Gamble accused Mochi Health of continuing to distribute compounded tirzepatide products that deviate from the FDA-approved formulations.
In April 2025, Eli Lilly filed a lawsuit in federal court alleging that Mochi Health and associated telehealth companies engaged in deceptive marketing, misrepresentation of drug safety and equivalency, and illegal compounding practices. The complaint claims Mochi Health’s executives, including CEO Myra Ahmad, exerted undue influence over prescribing doctors, violating California’s corporate practice of medicine (CPOM) laws, which prohibit non-physician-controlled corporations from directing medical decisions.
Key Legal Claims and Allegations
- False Advertising and Deceptive Marketing: Mochi Health allegedly represented compounded tirzepatide treatments as safe, effective, and equivalent to FDA-approved drugs without sufficient scientific basis.
- Violation of FDA Regulations: Continuing to produce and sell unapproved compounded versions of tirzepatide after FDA restrictions were lifted.
- Corporate Practice of Medicine Violations: Non-physician leadership allegedly controlled prescribing and dosing decisions, which is unlawful under California law.
- Patient Safety Risks: The lawsuit highlights risks arising from modified formulations with added ingredients, non-standard dosages, and lack of individualized medical examinations justifying changes.
Consumer Complaints and Operational Issues
Alongside the lawsuit, Mochi Health has faced thousands of consumer complaints reported through the Better Business Bureau and online forums, citing delays in medication fulfillment, poor customer service, incorrect prescriptions, and challenges obtaining refunds. Patients report frustration with the company’s app, lack of medical follow-up, and confusion over treatment plans.
Mochi Health’s Defense and Public Statements
Mochi Health contends that all medical services are provided by licensed physicians who retain full responsibility for clinical decisions. The company emphasizes that compounded medications filled during the FDA’s acknowledged shortage period were legal, and that informed consent was obtained from patients.
CEO Myra Ahmad and representatives assert confidence in their business model as a valuable and accessible telehealth solution catering to patients unable to access traditional healthcare, while continuing to comply with regulatory authorities.
Regulatory and Industry Context
The lawsuit is part of a larger regulatory crackdown on telehealth companies offering compounded weight loss drugs, including parallel lawsuits filed by companies like Fella Health and Delilah, as well as ongoing investigations by multiple state Attorneys General and FDA oversight.
It underscores the challenges in balancing expanded access to innovative treatments via telemedicine with ensuring patient safety and adherence to established pharmaceutical regulations.
Frequently Asked Questions About Mochi Health Lawsuit
What drugs are involved in the lawsuit?
The lawsuit primarily concerns compounded versions of tirzepatide, found in branded FDA-approved medications Mounjaro and Zepbound.
Who filed the lawsuit against Mochi Health?
Pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly and Company filed the lawsuit, alleging legal violations and deceptive practices.
What are the main allegations?
False advertising, violation of FDA compounding regulations, and illegal medical prescribing practices controlled by non-physicians.
What is Mochi Health’s response?
Mochi Health argues that doctors control prescribing decisions, treatments were legal during FDA shortage allowances, and patient safety is prioritized.
Are consumers impacted?
Complaints about service delays, prescription errors, and customer support issues have circulated, contributing to growing concern about the company’s practices.
Conclusion
The Mochi Health lawsuit highlights the emerging complexities at the intersection of telemedicine, pharmaceutical compounding, and regulatory oversight. With allegations of unsafe compounded drug sales and unauthorized medical control, the case emphasizes the critical need for clear boundaries between tech-driven healthcare delivery and traditional medical governance.
As telehealth reshapes access to weight loss medications and chronic condition management, the outcome of lawsuits like this will chart how innovation, regulation, and patient safety coexist in the fast-evolving healthcare marketplace. Consumers and industry observers alike will be watching closely as the legal process unfolds.
