Novo Nordisk Initiates Legal Action Against Hims & Hers, Aiming to Block Imitation Medications and Pursue Compensation

Novo Nordisk Takes Legal Action Against Hims & Hers Over Imitation Medications

Novo Nordisk, the pharmaceutical company behind Wegovy and Ozempic, has initiated a lawsuit against Hims & Hers. The company is seeking to prevent the telehealth provider from distributing unauthorized versions of its weight-loss and obesity treatments.

This legal step follows Novo Nordisk’s concerns that its market share is being threatened by alternative versions of its medications produced by compounding pharmacies.

Highlights from The Wall Street Journal

The FDA permits compounding pharmacies to create alternative versions of medications when the original drugs are in short supply or require customization for individual patients. Although Novo Nordisk’s products were removed from the FDA’s shortage list early last year, compounded alternatives have continued to be available. The company estimates that approximately 1.5 million people in the U.S. are currently using these compounded drugs.

Novo Nordisk has raised concerns that the medications offered by Hims & Hers have not undergone the FDA’s rigorous safety evaluation process.

Hims & Hers has not yet provided a response to requests for comment regarding the lawsuit.

In addition to seeking an injunction, Novo Nordisk is also pursuing financial compensation as part of its legal action filed on Monday.

Recently, Hims & Hers announced plans to introduce a lower-cost version of Novo Nordisk’s new Wegovy weight-loss pill, but reversed the decision and withdrew the offering over the weekend.

Novo Nordisk had previously warned of potential legal consequences if Hims & Hers proceeded with these plans. Meanwhile, FDA Commissioner Marty Makary has pledged to take decisive measures against illegal imitation drugs. The Department of Health and Human Services has referred Hims & Hers to the Justice Department for a possible investigation into violations of federal drug regulations.

Despite these developments, Hims & Hers continues to market alternative versions of Novo Nordisk’s injectable Wegovy and Ozempic, which reportedly contain non-original active ingredients.

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