health
Trump may be mystery patient in odd case of 79yo getting experimental obesity drug
White House spokesperson denied it was Trump only after story was published.
TL;DR
- A single 79-year-old patient was granted early access to Eli Lilly's experimental obesity drug, retatrutide, through the FDA's compassionate use program.
- This unusual decision has led to speculation that the patient may be President Donald Trump, who is nearing 80 and has health conditions like obstructive sleep apnea.
- The public notice for this expanded access was unusually sparse, raising questions about transparency and intent.
- White House and HHS spokespeople initially deflected direct questions about Trump's involvement, only issuing a denial after the story was published.
- Experts consider it highly irregular for a drug company to grant such access to a single patient for common conditions, rather than a cohort.