UPDATE: Novo Nordisk’s CEO, Mike Doustdar, is sounding the alarm on the dangerous rise of compounded GLP-1 drug knockoffs, warning that these products could jeopardize patient safety and undermine FDA oversight. As the legal battle intensifies, the implications are significant for millions relying on GLP-1 medications for weight loss and diabetes management.
In a recent interview with FOX Business, Doustdar expressed grave concerns over the sourcing of raw materials from “unknown sources,” particularly in light of Hims & Hers Health selling compounded versions of its semaglutide-based drugs. “When you go and try to source raw materials from China… there is something wrong with this,” Doustdar stated emphatically.
Novo Nordisk, renowned for its blockbuster diabetes treatment Ozempic and weight-loss drug Wegovy, has initiated legal action against Hims & Hers, accusing the company of selling unapproved compounded medications, including a copycat version of its newly launched oral semaglutide. Doustdar highlighted that the approval of the oral medication was designed to broaden access, but he criticized what he calls “mass compounding” practices by telehealth firms.
“Compounding is supposed to be for a few individuals with specific medical needs,” Doustdar remarked, denouncing the widespread production of these copycat drugs. He added that Novo has filed multiple lawsuits against various compounding companies, stating that Hims & Hers’ introduction of an oral compounded version crossed an ethical line. “I think the nail in the coffin was when they completely made a new drug—a pill—a compounded version and introduced that to the market,” he stated.
In response, Hims & Hers defended its practices, labeling Novo’s lawsuit as an attack on American patients who depend on compounded medications for personalized care. A representative for the company emphasized, “This lawsuit directly assaults a vital component of U.S. pharmacy practice that has improved patient care for everything from obesity to infertility to cancer.”
Patients struggling with obesity and related conditions have increasingly turned to compounded alternatives due to high costs and insurance barriers associated with brand-name medications. Hims & Hers previously marketed its compounded oral semaglutide at an introductory price of $49 per month, significantly undercutting the FDA-approved Wegovy, which costs around $149 and can reach $299 at higher doses. However, following legal threats from Novo and scrutiny from federal regulators, Hims & Hers has since removed the oral compounded medication from its offerings.
Doustdar also noted that Novo’s recent price reductions have aligned more closely with compounded versions, reducing the incentive for patients to seek out unapproved alternatives.
The escalation of this legal battle highlights the urgent need for regulatory clarity and patient safety in the rapidly growing market for GLP-1 medications. As this situation develops, all eyes will be on how both companies navigate the legal and ethical implications of their actions.
Stay tuned for ongoing updates as this critical story unfolds.
