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Hims & Hers will discontinue sales of its compounded weight-loss pill on Saturday, reversing course after facing backlash and legal threats earlier this week. The telehealth company’s decision comes amid scrutiny over its attempt to offer a lower-cost alternative to Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy.
“Since launching the compounded semaglutide pill on our platform, we’ve had constructive conversations with stakeholders across the industry,” the company posted on social media. “As a result, we have decided to stop offering access to this treatment. We remain committed to the millions of Americans who depend on us for access to safe, affordable, and personalized care.”
Hims & Hers had initially announced plans to create a more affordable version of Wegovy, utilizing the drug’s active ingredient, semaglutide. The proposed price point was as low as $49 for the first month, significantly undercutting Novo Nordisk’s roughly $100 higher price tag.
Novo Nordisk on Thursday threatened legal action against Hims & Hers, characterizing the move as “illegal mass compounding.” The pharmaceutical giant stated its intention to pursue both legal and regulatory measures.
“This is another example of Hims & Hers’ historic behaviour of duping the American public with knock-off GLP-1 products, and the FDA has previously warned them about their deceptive advertising of GLP-1 knock-offs,” Novo said in a statement.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration also weighed in on Friday, announcing plans to take legal action against Hims & Hers regarding the pill. This included restricting access to the necessary ingredients and referring the matter to the Department of Justice.
In response, Hims & Hers stated it “has always operated with a deep commitment to the safety and best interests of consumers and in compliance with applicable law.”
This development coincides with the company’s planned advertisement during Super Bowl 60 on Sunday. The ad, featuring rapper Common, conveys the message that “America’s wealth gap has turned into a health gap.” Hims & Hers previously indicated the ad was expected to “ruffle some feathers.”
