Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk has filed a lawsuit against Hims & Hers in the US, claiming the company is selling unsafe, unapproved versions of its weight-loss drugs, Ozempic and Wegovy.
Legal Battle Over Weight-Loss Pills
The dispute began after Hims & Hers launched a new weight-loss pill last Friday. Novo Nordisk quickly threatened legal action. Over the weekend, Hims & Hers paused sales, but the company said Novo Nordisk’s lawsuit was a “blatant attack.”
On Monday, Hims & Hers’ shares dropped 16%, while Novo Nordisk’s stock edged slightly higher on Tuesday.
Rise of Weight-Loss Drugs and Copycats
Drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Eli Lilly’s Zepbound and Mounjaro have grown popular in recent years. As patents expire, lower-cost alternatives have appeared. Some of these copycats have raised safety concerns.
Novo Nordisk says its lawsuit aims to protect public health and defend its scientific innovations. Hims & Hers, meanwhile, insists it provides safe, personalized healthcare and accused Novo Nordisk of limiting consumer choice.
The Role of Compounded Drugs
According to pharmaceutical analyst Kerry Fulford, this is Novo Nordisk’s first effort to clamp down on compounding. Compounding allows US companies to make unapproved drugs tailored for specific patients. Hims & Hers’ weight-loss drugs are compounded, unlike Novo Nordisk’s.
The FDA recently announced measures to limit the compounding of weight-loss drugs. The agency wants to prevent the sale of drugs whose quality, safety, or efficacy cannot be verified. Novo Nordisk said Hims & Hers’ drugs could contain harmful impurities or incorrect doses, risking life-threatening immune responses.
Novo Nordisk Faces Challenges
This lawsuit comes amid a tough period for Novo Nordisk. The company announced job cuts in September and warned of falling profits due to expiring patents. It also faced criticism from the FDA over a Wegovy TV ad, which was said to exaggerate benefits beyond physical weight loss. Novo Nordisk stated it is addressing the agency’s concerns.
Analyst Fulford called the legal action “Novo’s way of fighting back” to protect its market position and ensure drug safety for consumers.
