'US-style medicine model' as big pharma dispensing of GLP-1s condemned

Eli Lilly's new online platform, LillyDirect, is set to deliver certain medicines, including Mounjaro, directly to patients' doors. This move has been met with criticism from doctors and pharmacists, who argue it poses a risk to patient safety. The platform, which began operations in the US in 2024, will allow patients to submit e-scripts from their doctors, which are then directed to an online third-party pharmacist for dispensing, before being delivered to the patient's home.

Eli Lilly maintains that the platform does not replace the need for a doctor's prescription and aims to provide affordable and convenient access to GLP-1 medications for patients. However, the Royal Australian College of GPs, the Pharmacy Guild of Australia, and the Pharmaceutical Society of Australia contend that the model could jeopardize patient safety due to a lack of comprehensive oversight and continuity of care.

They argue that GLP-1 medications, while effective, come with serious side effects and require proper monitoring. Dr. Michael Wright, President of the RACGP, expressed concerns about the potential for inappropriate prescribing and the removal of important checks by online pharmacists. The Pharmacy Guild President, Trent Twomey, emphasized the need to protect Australia's independent healthcare system and warned against the "Americanization" of healthcare practices.

Despite these concerns, Eli Lilly argues that LillyDirect complies with Australian regulatory frameworks, with registered pharmacists reviewing and dispensing prescriptions.