Hims & Hers responds to FDA pressure, pulls knockoff Wegovy drug launch after regulatory threats

Core Viewpoint - Hims & Hers has decided to halt the launch of its compounded semaglutide pill, a knockoff of Novo Nordisk's Wegovy, following FDA threats of decisive action against illegal copycat drugs and potential legal action from Novo Nordisk [1][4]. Group 1: Company Actions - Hims & Hers announced the decision to stop offering access to its compounded Wegovy alternative after constructive discussions with industry stakeholders [1]. - The company had initially planned to sell its compounded version of Wegovy at an introductory price of $49 per month, which is approximately $100 less than the original Wegovy price [4]. - Hims & Hers did not clarify whether it would continue to sell its compounded GLP-1 injection on its website [7]. Group 2: Regulatory and Legal Context - The FDA specifically mentioned Hims & Hers in its announcement regarding actions to protect consumers from drugs lacking verified quality, safety, or efficacy [1]. - Novo Nordisk has threatened legal action against Hims & Hers for marketing a cheaper, unapproved version of its weight loss drug [1]. - The partnership between Hims & Hers and Novo Nordisk was previously established to allow Hims to sell Wegovy, but it was terminated after accusations of Hims marketing knockoff drugs [8]. Group 3: Market Reactions - Following the announcement from Hims & Hers, shares of Novo Nordisk initially fell but later recovered, while shares of Hims & Hers declined after the FDA's announcement [5].