Eli Lilly Partners with JD Health for Direct-to-Consumer Obesity and Diabetes Drug Sales

Eli Lilly is partnering with JD Health International to sell its obesity and diabetes drugs online in China. The partnership will provide a one-stop service for consultations, prescriptions, and drug delivery through JD Health's platform. This move follows competitors Novo Nordisk in leveraging e-commerce channels to drive sales in the GLP-1 drug market, which is expected to grow to $5.6-$11.4 billion annually.

Eli Lilly & Co. has announced a strategic partnership with JD Health International Inc., a prominent Chinese online healthcare platform, to sell its blockbuster obesity and diabetes drugs online. This move follows a trend of pharmaceutical companies leveraging e-commerce channels to drive sales in the growing GLP-1 drug market in China [1].

The partnership will facilitate a one-stop service for consultations, prescriptions, and drug delivery through JD Health's platform. This initiative aims to ease access to Lilly's drugs, including Mounjaro, which is marketed for both obesity and diabetes in China. The decision to prioritize online retail channels is a response to China's state medical insurance policy, which does not cover weight loss drugs, prompting drugmakers to shift towards retail and online sales [1].

This partnership is a significant step for Eli Lilly, which has been following the lead of competitors like Novo Nordisk in exploring direct-to-consumer sales. Novo Nordisk has already struck similar deals with various online health platforms, including JD Health, Tencent Health, and Alibaba Health Information Technology Ltd. [1].

The GLP-1 drug market in China is expected to grow to between $5.6 billion and $11.4 billion annually, making it a crucial battlefield for pharmaceutical companies. Eli Lilly's move to capitalize on this growing market underscores the company's strategic focus on expanding its reach in the lucrative Chinese market [1].

The partnership with JD Health International is part of Eli Lilly's broader strategy to enhance its market presence in China. By providing a seamless online service, Lilly aims to improve patient access to its medications and potentially increase market share in the competitive GLP-1 drug market.

References:
[1] https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2025-08-29/eli-lilly-partners-with-china-tech-giant-for-obesity-drug-sales