UPDATE: Novo Nordisk’s CEO, Mike Doustdar, has issued a stark warning regarding the proliferation of compounded GLP-1 knockoff drugs, stating they could pose serious risks to patient safety. This urgent statement comes as the company engages in a heated legal battle against Hims & Hers Health, which Novo accuses of selling unapproved versions of its medications.
The CEO’s comments, made during an interview with FOX Business’ Maria Bartiromo, highlight the dangers of sourcing raw materials from overseas, including China. “When you go and try to source raw materials from China or unknown sources, put it in an injection, and sell knockoff medication, there is something wrong with this,” Doustdar emphasized.
Novo Nordisk, renowned for its blockbuster diabetes drug Ozempic and weight-loss treatment Wegovy, has taken significant legal action by filing a lawsuit against Hims & Hers. This lawsuit targets the telehealth company’s alleged distribution of compounded medications, including a copycat oral version of semaglutide, which recently launched.
Doustdar criticized the widespread “mass compounding” of GLP-1 medications by telehealth firms, arguing it undermines FDA oversight. “Compounding is supposed to be for a few individuals that have, let’s say, allergic reactions to the real medicine,” he stated. “But this mass compounding — it’s quite unbelievable that it has gotten to this point.”
In response, Hims & Hers has condemned Novo’s legal actions, describing them as “a blatant attack” on millions of Americans dependent on compounded medications. The company asserts that such lawsuits threaten a vital aspect of U.S. pharmacy practice that enhances patient care.
As patients continue to seek GLP-1 therapy for conditions like obesity and type 2 diabetes, many have turned to compounded alternatives due to insurance obstacles and high brand-name costs. Hims & Hers briefly marketed its oral semaglutide at approximately $49 per month initially, significantly undercutting Novo’s FDA-approved oral Wegovy, which retails for about $149 and can reach up to $299 at higher doses.
However, following legal pressures from Novo and scrutiny from federal regulators, Hims & Hers has since withdrawn the oral compounded medication from its offerings. Doustdar mentioned that Novo’s recent price cuts have diminished the need for such knockoff drugs, asserting that the pricing of branded and compounded versions is now more comparable.
The escalating situation raises critical concerns about the safety and regulation of compounded medications as the legal battle unfolds. With the stakes higher than ever, the focus remains on protecting patient health while navigating the complexities of pharmaceutical access and regulatory oversight.
As developments continue, stakeholders and consumers alike are urged to stay informed about the implications of this legal clash on medication safety and patient access to treatments.
