{"id":7444,"date":"2026-02-10T04:22:15","date_gmt":"2026-02-10T04:22:15","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/7444\/"},"modified":"2026-02-10T04:22:15","modified_gmt":"2026-02-10T04:22:15","slug":"hims-hers-pulls-copycat-wegovy-pill-amid-legal-action","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/7444\/","title":{"rendered":"Hims &#038; Hers pulls copycat Wegovy pill amid legal action"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/play-icon.png\"\/> Listen to this article<\/p>\n<p>The basics:<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/njbiz.com\/tag\/hims-hers\/\" class=\"st_tag internal_tag \" rel=\"tag nofollow noopener\" title=\"Posts tagged with Hims &amp; Hers\" target=\"_blank\">Hims &amp; Hers<\/a> pauses compounded <a href=\"https:\/\/njbiz.com\/tag\/semaglutide\/\" class=\"st_tag internal_tag \" rel=\"tag nofollow noopener\" title=\"Posts tagged with semaglutide\" target=\"_blank\">semaglutide<\/a> pill rollout<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/njbiz.com\/tag\/novo-nordisk\/\" class=\"st_tag internal_tag \" rel=\"tag nofollow noopener\" title=\"Posts tagged with Novo Nordisk\" target=\"_blank\">Novo Nordisk<\/a> sues over alleged GLP-1 patent infringement<br \/>\n<a href=\"https:\/\/njbiz.com\/tag\/fda\/\" class=\"st_tag internal_tag \" rel=\"tag nofollow noopener\" title=\"Posts tagged with FDA\" target=\"_blank\">FDA<\/a> warns against non-approved compounded weight loss drugs<br \/>\nLawsuit seeks permanent ban and damages against Hims &amp; Hers<\/p>\n<p>Hims &amp; Hers reversed course on its launch of a cheaper, copycat version of Novo Nordisk\u2019s GLP-1 weight loss pill amid legal action.\n<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/HimsHersComms\/status\/2020207947645911214\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">In a Feb. 7 social media post<\/a>, the San Francisco-based telehealth platform said, \u201cSince launching the compounded semaglutide pill on our platform, we\u2019ve had constructive conversations with stakeholders across the industry. As a result, we have decided to stop offering access to this treatment.\u201d\n<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/njbiz.com\/novo-nordisk-legal-action-hims-wegovy-copy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Hims &amp; Hers unveiled plans two days prior<\/a> to begin offering compounded copies of the Wegovy pill for an introductory price of $49 per month and $99 thereafter with a five-month plan.<\/p>\n<p>Despite this weekend\u2019s announcement, Novo Nordisk has filed a lawsuit against Hims &amp; Hers claiming the company\u2019s compounded products in the U.S. infringe on its patent for semaglutide.\n<\/p>\n<p>The Danish drugmaker <a href=\"https:\/\/njbiz.com\/novo-nordisk-legal-action-hims-wegovy-copy\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">previously threatened legal action last week, hours after Hims &amp; Hers began promoting compounded GLP-1 pills.<\/a>\n<\/p>\n<p>In a lawsuit filed Feb. 9, <a href=\"https:\/\/www.novonordisk-us.com\/media\/news-archive\/news-details.html?id=916495\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Novo Nordisk took aim at Hims &amp; Hers\u2019 injectable compounded semaglutide products.<\/a><\/p>\n<p>Permanent ban<\/p>\n<p>Up until last month, the blockbuster medication was only available as an injection. A once-daily oral version hit the market in January <a href=\"https:\/\/njbiz.com\/novo-nordisk-wegovy-weight-loss-pill-launch\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">as the first and only FDA-approved pill for weight loss.<\/a>\n<\/p>\n<p>Semaglutide, the active ingredient in <a href=\"https:\/\/njbiz.com\/tag\/glp-1-drugs\/\" class=\"st_tag internal_tag \" rel=\"tag nofollow noopener\" title=\"Posts tagged with GLP-1 drugs\" target=\"_blank\">GLP-1 drugs<\/a>, is protected in the U.S. until 2032. Besides Wegovy, Novo Nordisk has two other semaglutide medications: once-weekly injectable Ozempic for type 2 diabetes and once-daily oral treatment Rybelsus for type 2 diabetes.<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-536482\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=\" http:=\"\" alt=\"1.5 mg starter dose of Wegovy pill\" width=\"875\" height=\"535\" data-lazy- data-lazy- data-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Wegovy_Starter_Pills_in_Lab_Plate.jpg\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-536482\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/Wegovy_Starter_Pills_in_Lab_Plate.jpg\" alt=\"1.5 mg starter dose of Wegovy pill\" width=\"875\" height=\"535\"  \/>Novo Nordisk announced Jan. 5, that Wegovy is now available in a pill for the first time. \u2013 PROVIDED BY PRNEWSFOTO\/NOVO NORDISK\n<\/p>\n<p>Filed in U.S. District Court for the District of Delaware, the lawsuit is asking that Hims &amp; Hers be permanently banned from selling unapproved, <a href=\"https:\/\/njbiz.com\/tag\/compounded-drugs\/\" class=\"st_tag internal_tag \" rel=\"tag nofollow noopener\" title=\"Posts tagged with compounded drugs\" target=\"_blank\">compounded drugs<\/a> that infringe on Novo Nordisk patents. It is also seeking damages.\n<\/p>\n<p>Novo Nordisk accused Hims &amp; Hers of engaging in \u201cpromotional campaigns that highlight its compounded semaglutide products, duping consumers and health care professionals as to the clinical benefits and safety of these unapproved drugs.\u201d The company has its U.S. headquarters in Plainsboro.\n<\/p>\n<p>\u201cHims continues to unlawfully mass compound injectable versions, made with inauthentic API [active pharmaceutical ingredients] and these knock-offs are putting patient health and wellbeing at risk,\u201d the company said.\n<\/p>\n<p>FDA concerns<\/p>\n<p>The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has also said it <a href=\"https:\/\/www.fda.gov\/news-events\/press-announcements\/fda-intends-take-action-against-non-fda-approved-glp-1-drugs\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">would take action against Hims &amp; Hers.<\/a>\n<\/p>\n<p>In a Feb. 6 press release, the agency said it plans to restrict GLP-1 ingredients used in non-approved compounded drugs that companies like Hims &amp; Hers have marketed as authorized treatments. The FDA cited concerns over quality, safety and potential violations of federal law.\n<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/DrMakaryFDA\/status\/2019552255310020616\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">FDA Commissioner Marty Makary vowed<\/a> \u201cswift action against companies mass-marketing illegal copycat drugs, claiming they are similar to FDA-approved products.\u201d\n<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThe FDA cannot verify the quality, safety or effectiveness of non-approved drugs,\u201d he shared in a social media post.\n<\/p>\n<p>The FDA cannot verify the quality, safety or effectiveness of non-approved drugs.<br \/>\u2013 Marty Makary, FDA commissioner<\/p>\n<p>Additionally, <a href=\"https:\/\/x.com\/hhsgcmikestuart\/status\/2019882833041608990?s=43&amp;t=7H2EVQwml3WTfIWO38aIIw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">U.S. Department of Health and Human Services General Counsel Mike Stuart<\/a> said he referred Hims &amp; Hers to the Department of Justice for an investigation over potential violations.\n<\/p>\n<p>Under the Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, compounding pharmacies can make and sell large quantities of brand-name medicines only if they are in short supply.\u00a0When the FDA declared a semaglutide shortage in 2022, pharmacies, telehealth companies and other health care providers could manufacture copycat GLP-1 therapies. Because consumers considered the drugs a cheaper, easier to access alternative, interest in compounded treatments skyrocketed.\n<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/njbiz.com\/wegovy-access-fda-semiglutide-ban\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Last year, the FDA removed semaglutide from its shortage list<\/a> and told compounding pharmacies to stop producing unbranded versions.\n<\/p>\n<p>The agency continues to allow compounding of prescriptions specific to particular patients. In those instances, pharmacies cannot produce the dugs in large batches that might allow for cheaper production costs.\n<\/p>\n<p>\u2018Dangerous and deceptive to patients\u2019<\/p>\n<p>Novo Nordisk has since filed over 120 lawsuits to stop the marketing and sale of copycat GLP-1s. <a href=\"https:\/\/www.prnewswire.com\/news-releases\/novo-nordisk-protects-us-patients-with-legal-wins-against-compounders-including-ruling-that-permanently-prohibits-compounding-pharmacy-from-selling-illegitimate-knockoff-wegovy-or-ozempic-302438372.html\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">The complaints have led to injunctions and court orders<\/a> blocking unapproved sales; protecting the company\u2019s patents; and limiting distribution of unsafe, non FDA-approved semaglutide.<br \/>\n<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-540541 size-thumbnail\" src=\"data:image\/svg+xml,%3Csvg%20xmlns=\" http:=\"\" alt=\"Novo Nordisk Senior Vice President, Group General Counsel, Global Legal, IP and Security John Kuckelman\" width=\"120\" height=\"150\" data-lazy- data-lazy- data-lazy-src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/john-kuckelman-120x150.jpg\"\/><img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" class=\"wp-image-540541 size-thumbnail\" src=\"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/john-kuckelman-120x150.jpg\" alt=\"Novo Nordisk Senior Vice President, Group General Counsel, Global Legal, IP and Security John Kuckelman\" width=\"120\" height=\"150\"  \/>Kuckelman\n<\/p>\n<p>Commenting on the complaint against Hims &amp; Hers, Novo Nordisk Senior Vice President, Group General Counsel, Global Legal, IP and Security John Kuckelman said, \u201cThroughout Novo Nordisk\u2019s 103-year-long history, patient safety has always been our top priority. Hims &amp; Hers is mass marketing unapproved knock-off versions of Wegovy and Ozempic that evade the FDA\u2019s gold standard review process \u2013 that\u2019s dangerous and deceptive to patients, and undermines the scientific innovation and regulatory rigor in place to ensure these treatments are safe and effective.\u201d\n<\/p>\n<p>\u201cWe\u2019ve taken legal action to protect the American public and our intellectual property and will continue to work with regulators, law enforcement, and other key stakeholders to ensure patients have access to FDA approved safe and effective medicines,\u201d he said.\n<\/p>\n<p>According to Novo Nordisk\u2019s testing, injectable semaglutide drugs compounded by pharmacies were found to contain impurities of up to 86%, with compounded oral semaglutide drugs containing impurities as high as 75%. Even in small quantities, such impurities can negatively impact the safety and efficacy of a drug product, including unwanted immune responses like anaphylactic shock, the company said.\n<\/p>\n<p>\u2018Blatant attack\u2019<\/p>\n<p>A spokesperson for Hims &amp; Hers told NJBIZ, \u201cNovo Nordisk\u2019s lawsuit is a blatant attack by a Danish company on millions of Americans who rely on compounded medications for access to personalized care. Once again, Big Pharma is weaponizing the US judicial system to limit consumer choice.\n<\/p>\n<p>\u201cThis lawsuit attacks more than just one medication or company \u2013 it directly assaults a well-established, vital component of US pharmacy practice that has improved patient care for everything from obesity to infertility to cancer,\u201d the representative continued. \u201cHims &amp; Hers has a long history of providing safe access to personalized healthcare to millions of Americans, and we will continue to fight to provide choice, affordability, and access.\u201d\n<\/p>\n<p>Once again, Big Pharma is weaponizing the US judicial system to limit consumer choice.<br \/>\u2013 Hims &amp; Hers representative<\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.fiercepharma.com\/pharma\/after-hims-compounded-wegovy-pill-upset-fdas-makary-pledges-crackdown-mass-marketing-illegal\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Fierce Pharma noted<\/a> that since the <a href=\"https:\/\/njbiz.com\/novo-nordisk-eli-lilly-glp1-medicare\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener nofollow\">Wegovy pill is one of the first offerings on the TrumpRx.gov<\/a> platform the federal government \u201cmay be further encouraged to direct patients toward\u201d the branded version.\u00a0The recently launched, government-run website is aims to help Americans access discounted prescription drugs by connecting users with manufacturers\u2019 direct-to-consumer purchasing pages and pharmacy coupon offers.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Listen to this article The basics: Hims &amp; Hers pauses compounded semaglutide pill rollout Novo Nordisk sues over&hellip;\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":1117,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[271],"tags":[1438,325,1166,1440,272,6258,689,6259],"class_list":{"0":"post-7444","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-novo-nordisk","8":"tag-compounded-drugs","9":"tag-fda","10":"tag-glp-1-drugs","11":"tag-hims-hers","12":"tag-novo-nordisk","13":"tag-pharmaceutical-lawsuits","14":"tag-semaglutide","15":"tag-weight-loss-pills"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7444","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=7444"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/7444\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/1117"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=7444"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=7444"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.europesays.com\/dk\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=7444"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}