Compounding pharmacy recalls copycat version of Eli Lilly’s Zepbound amid safety concerns

Apothecary Pharma, a compounding pharmacy, has voluntarily recalled its compounded tirzepatide product that mimics Eli Lilly's obesity drug Zepbound. The company said it could not guarantee the safety of the medication and notified the FDA in September.

The recall covers 22 lots of the compounded drug, with beyond‑use dates ranging from October 8 to November 26. The FDA classified the recall as Class II, indicating that use of the product may cause temporary or medically reversible adverse health effects, though serious consequences are considered unlikely.

The action comes as Lilly and Novo Nordisk, the only manufacturers of FDA‑approved GLP‑1 obesity treatments, have been pressuring regulators to curb the sale of compounded alternatives. The recall may reinforce the manufacturers' claims that unapproved copies lack the quality, safety, and efficacy of the licensed products.