alt Hacker NewsAlthough I can't say it's what happened in this case, I suspect that the drug companies have a hand in some of the research showing the unexpected benefits of their product. While they do have to be careful about what they claim the drug does in conventional advertising, studies suggesting various benefits for this drug get a lot of attention in the media.
These studies have conflict of interest, funding, etc. disclosures.
If it was Lilly and Novo pushing these, they'd either show up in those disclosures or you're suggesting a massive conspiracy to undermine the medical regulatory system to sell more drugs that they already have struggled to meet demand for for extended periods of time.
Why would they kill a golden goose that shows no signs of stopping it's egg laying?