After less than two months, Novo Nordisk has ended its partnership with Hims & Hers Health, Inc., citing “deceptive marketing” and the selling of “knock-off compounded versions” of its obesity drug, Wegovy. As a result, direct access to Wegovy will no longer be available to Hims & Hers Health Inc. via NovoCare Pharmacy.

According to Novo Nordisk, Hims & Hers Health, Inc. has failed to adhere to a law that prohibits mass sales of compounded drugs under the false guise of “personalization” and is disseminating deceptive marketing that puts patient safety at risk.

“Novo Nordisk is firm on our position and protecting patients living with obesity. When patients are prescribed semaglutide treatments by their licensed healthcare professional or a telehealth provider, they are entitled to receive authentic, FDA-approved and regulated Wegovy,” said Dave Moore, EVP, US Operations of Novo Nordisk Inc. “We will work with telehealth companies to provide direct access to Wegovy that share our commitment to patient safety – and when companies engage in illegal sham compounding that jeopardizes the health of Americans, we will continue to take action.”

Protecting US Patients

Novo Nordisk says it is concerned and taking proactive measures to protect US patients from counterfeit drugs made with foreign illicit active pharmaceutical ingredients. The company’s investigation found that the “semaglutide” active pharmaceutical ingredients in knock-off drugs sold by telehealth entities and compounding pharmacies are manufactured by foreign suppliers in China. The FDA has never authorized or approved the manufacturing processes or quality of these foreign suppliers. Furthermore, a report from the Brookings Institute found that many Chinese suppliers were never inspected by the FDA, and those that were had drug quality assurance violations.