The California Medical Association (CMA) has filed an amicus brief in a case that could have broad implications for the legal protections that preserve physician independence in California, specifically the state’s prohibition on the corporate practice of medicine.

While the lawsuit, Eli Lilly & Company v. Mochi Health Corp., et al. (Case No. 3:25-cv-03534-JSC), involves allegations of unlawful compounding and distribution of prescription medications, CMA’s interest in the case is to ensure that California’s corporate bar is not mischaracterized or prematurely dismissed on procedural grounds.

The corporate bar is a long-standing doctrine that bars lay entities from exerting control, directly or indirectly, over the professional medical judgment of licensed physicians. Rooted in public policy, this doctrine protects the integrity of the physician-patient relationship by ensuring that medical decisions are made by qualified medical professionals, not by corporations with commercial interests.

In this case, the defendants have argued that only the Medical Board of California has the authority to enforce the corporate bar. CMA’s brief argues that this interpretation is inconsistent with California law. Courts have long recognized that private parties may seek relief under the state’s Unfair Competition Law (Business and Professions Code § 17200 et seq.) when there are allegations of unlawful business practices, including violations of the corporate bar.

CMA’s brief also emphasizes that the medical board itself has publicly acknowledged the important role of private enforcement in protecting the physician-patient relationship from corporate interference. CMA is urging the court to allow the case to proceed so that the allegations can be properly evaluated on their merits.

By participating as amicus curiae, CMA continues its long-standing commitment to upholding the integrity of the medical profession and advocating for legal protections that preserve the independent clinical judgment of California physicians.