Eli Lilly Boosts Production, Ending Shortages of Key Medications

After months of ongoing shortages, Eli Lilly’s tirzepatide-based medications, Mounjaro and Zepbound, are now available in all doses, according to the FDA. The agency had placed nearly all doses of these drugs on its shortage list in April due to demand outstripping supply. Mounjaro had first appeared on the shortage list in 2022.

To address the supply constraints, Eli Lilly has invested billions into expanding its production capacity. By the end of the first quarter, seven manufacturing sites were either ramping up or under construction. These include a North Carolina plant expected to be operational by year-end and a German facility slated for 2027. In May, Lilly announced an additional $5.3 billion investment in an Indiana manufacturing complex, marking the largest single investment in U.S. history for synthetic medicine active pharmaceutical ingredient manufacturing.

Despite the FDA’s update, all doses of Mounjaro and Zepbound are still listed as unavailable on Lilly’s third-party provider, Amazon Pharmacy. Meanwhile, competitor Novo Nordisk continues to face shortages with some doses of its obesity drug Wegovy. The high demand for these obesity medications has led to an increase in compounded and counterfeit versions, prompting legal action from Lilly against unauthorized sellers.

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