Telehealth firms market GLP-1 for addiction as Treasury eyes tighter China biotech rules
Telehealth companies are offering off-label GLP-1 drugs for alcohol addiction, prompting expert warnings, while the U.S. Treasury prepares a rule to tighten review of outbound licensing deals with Chinese biotech under the COINS Act.
Telehealth platforms have started selling GLP-1 drugs, including branded and compounded versions, for off-label treatment of alcohol use disorder and other addictions, a development reported. While some addiction medicine experts view this as addressing a significant unmet need, they caution that such practices may lead to fragmented patient care and potentially unsuitable prescriptions given the limited evidence base.
In parallel, the U.S. Department of Treasury plans to issue a proposed rule—potentially as early as tomorrow—that would subject outbound U.S. licensing deals with Chinese biotech companies to heightened regulatory review under the COINS Act. This expands the scope of the Comprehensive Outbound Investment National Security Act of 2015, which already screens certain American investments in Chinese technology. Broader concerns about China’s ambitions and a prevailing anti-pharma sentiment in Congress and the administration may make it difficult for the pharmaceutical sector to overcome objections, according to Capital Alpha Partners analyst Rob Smith.
Why it matters
It shows new approaches to addiction treatment and signals tighter U.S. oversight of China-related biotech investments.
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