Thousands sued over GLP-1 drugs: patients claim
Thousands of patients have filed lawsuits alleging GLP-1 drug harm. Drugs include Ozempic, Wigoby, and Munjaro.
Novo Nordisk announced Monday that it will sell its blockbuster drugs Wigovy and Ozempic through U.S. telemedicine company Hims & Hers Health Platform, ending a legal dispute that erupted last month.
The Danish drugmaker sued Hims in February over a combination version of its Wigovy weight loss drug, which Hims released and then discontinued two days later, and a combination version of Novo’s injectable GLP-1. The Food and Drug Administration was also planning legal action against Hims over the unlicensed drug.
Hims’ stock price rose more than 40% on Monday.
Novo is grappling with telemedicine companies selling cheaper, formulated copycat versions of its obesity drugs, while Hims faces higher costs for its personalized GLP-1 products, which the company says is driving up product costs.
Under the agreement, Hims will offer approved Ozempic and Wigovy injections, as well as Wigovy tablets, to consumers on its platform at Novo’s out-of-pocket prices. Hims had a short-term deal with Novo to sell its Wegovy brand in 2025.
Hims will no longer promote GLP-1 combination medicines, but will continue to offer them if deemed clinically necessary by healthcare providers. FDA regulations allow companies to sell compounded drugs in individual doses or with special ingredients not available in branded formats.
“We are pleased that HIMS will stop advertising unapproved combination drugs and instead sell FDA-approved products through our new partnership with Novo Nordisk. Importantly, HIMS will keep them affordable (not raise prices) and limit combination GLP-1 to rare (FDA-compliant) cases,” FDA Commissioner Marty McCulley wrote in a post on X.
“Following our recent actions, I would like to congratulate both parties on this transaction.”
The FDA announced last month that it would take decisive action against companies selling large quantities of illegal counterfeit drugs, including Hims, prompting the company to change its policy on selling copy copies of Novo’s pills.
Price reduction due to competition
Novo Nordisk CEO Mike Doesder said Wigovy’s tablets have generated more than 600,000 prescriptions since its launch two months ago, and telemedicine partnerships are accelerating adoption.
The Danish company faces stiff competition from rival Eli Lilly, which has become the leader in the weight-loss drug market. To boost sales, Novo has lowered the price of its weight loss drugs on its website from about $1,000 per month to between $149 and $299.
Low pricing is a key part of the partnership, Dusdahl said, adding, “Currently, the price of genuine products is about the same as composite products.”
The deal comes after U.S. regulators warned 30 telemedicine companies last week over misleading advertising of compounded GLP-1 drugs. The FDA said some companies are incorrectly equating compounded products with approved drugs.
Hims CEO Andrew Dadham said the partnership with Novo follows the company’s decision to transition its weight loss business from combination GLP-1 drugs to branded, FDA-approved treatments and reflects growing demand for a broader range of lower-cost options.
“That’s where we see business growth,” Dudum said in an interview.
Dudum said on a call to discuss financial results that most subscribers accessing GLP-1 are using branded options.
“Both sides lack trust but are still bound by mutual need,” said Jailendra Singh, an analyst at Trust.
In light of the agreement, Novo Nordisk said it would withdraw its patent infringement lawsuit “while reserving the right to refile.”
Novo ended a similar agreement last year over concerns about the marketing and sales of compounded drugs.
