Eli Lilly has created a one-of-a-kind online platform that links American individuals in search of weight loss solutions with medical professionals, nutritionists, and their latest medication for treating obesity, Zepbound.

On Thursday, the pharmaceutical company announced the launch of LillyDirect, a platform that will connect users with outside mail-order pharmacies for medication prescriptions and virtual medical care services for weight loss.

The website also provides a list for receiving in-person assistance and guidance on insulin and migraine treatment.

According to Lilly, the physicians who are connected through the website are not affiliated with the company and have not been incentivized to endorse its products. Additionally, the company does not receive any compensation for referring patients to these doctors.

In November, U.S. regulators approved Zepbound, a version of the popular diabetes treatment Mounjaro, to be used as a weight-loss treatment. The drug joins Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy in a hot field for care, chronic weight management.

There are over 100 million adults in the United States who are classified as obese.

According to Lilly CEO David Ricks, the Indianapolis-based company established a platform with the goal of simplifying the management of chronic illnesses in the complex U.S. healthcare system.

According to Caitlin Donovan, a senior director at the non-profit Patient Advocate Foundation, pharmaceutical companies often provide coupons or other forms of assistance to help individuals obtain prescriptions for their medications. The foundation assists patients with managing serious or long-term health conditions.

She mentioned that combining the prescription assistance with access to doctors in a single location is something that sets it apart.

Donovan stated that any method of streamlining processes would be beneficial, as the healthcare system currently lacks efficiency compared to other countries.

During the COVID-19 pandemic, telemedicine has gained popularity and numerous companies are now providing virtual assistance to individuals for particular medical conditions, typically through subscription services. Some physicians have expressed worry over this trend, viewing it as a strategy to promote medication sales.

According to Lilly, the healthcare providers accessible through LillyDirect will rely on their own discretion when determining treatment options, which may not necessarily involve the use of medication.