Compounding pharmacies have been allowed to essentially make a cheaper version of Eli Lilly's Zepbound, but they have to stop Wednesday. That has left many patients wondering what to do next.

Eli Lilly is offering vials of its weight-loss drug Zepbound to patients at a discount — but only if they skip their insurance. Novo Nordisk is now discounting Wegovy for cash customers too.

A telehealth company partnered with a pharmacy that lacked a required license, raising doubts about the safety and efficacy of the weight-loss medicines it mailed to patients.

The pharmaceutical companies behind Ozempic, Wegovy and other weight-loss meds push to prevent compounding pharmacies from making cheaper copies. They argue they can keep up with demand on their own.

The drug companies behind blockbuster weight loss and diabetes treatments have signaled that supply problems could soon be over, but many patients still have trouble getting the medicines. 

Cheaper versions of Wegovy and Zepbound touted on social media could be fleeting. Copies are legal now because the brand-name drugs are in short supply. But the drugmakers are boosting production.

Eli Lilly said the obesity medicine, which helped adults in clinical studies lose about 20% of their body weight, will be available in the U.S. by the end of the year. The list price will be $1,060.