BREAKING: Novo Nordisk’s CEO, Mike Doustdar, has issued an urgent warning about the proliferation of dangerous compounded GLP-1 drug knockoffs, emphasizing that these products could jeopardize patient safety and undermine FDA regulations. As legal battles escalate, the stakes for public health have never been higher.
In a recent interview with FOX Business, Doustdar stated, “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.” His comments come amid a rising tide of concern over unapproved versions of GLP-1 medications, such as Ozempic and Wegovy, which are widely used for weight loss and diabetes management.
Novo has initiated a lawsuit against Hims & Hers Health, accusing the telehealth company of distributing compounded, unapproved versions of its semaglutide-based drugs, including a recently launched daily oral pill. Doustdar criticized the trend of “mass compounding,” stating, “Compounding is supposed to be for a few individuals that have, let’s say, allergic reactions to the real medicine. But this mass compounding — it’s quite unbelievable that it has gotten to this point.”
The introduction of the oral semaglutide pill aims to enhance patient access, particularly for those hesitant about injections. However, Doustdar underscored that the emergence of compounded versions is a concerning shift, declaring, “The nail in the coffin, as they say, was when they completely made a new drug — the pill — a compounded version of it and basically tried to introduce that to the market. That’s where we felt enough is enough.”
In response, Hims & Hers labeled Novo’s lawsuit as a “blatant attack” on Americans relying on compounded medications. A spokesperson stated, “This lawsuit attacks more than just one medication or company – it directly assaults a well-established, vital component of U.S. pharmacy practice that has improved patient care for everything from obesity to infertility to cancer.” The company vowed to continue defending consumer choice and accessibility against what they termed as “Big Pharma’s” judicial maneuvers.
Patients seeking GLP-1 therapy have increasingly turned to compounded options due to challenges with insurance coverage for brand-name drugs. While Hims & Hers briefly marketed its compounded oral semaglutide at an introductory price of $49 per month, significantly lower than Novo’s FDA-approved oral Wegovy starting at $149 per month, it later withdrew the product following legal threats from Novo and scrutiny from federal regulators.
Doustdar reassured patients that Novo’s recent price reductions have mitigated the need for cheaper alternatives, bringing brand-name and compounded drug prices closer together. With growing concerns about the safety of these knockoff drugs, patients are urged to remain vigilant and consult healthcare professionals for approved treatments.
As this legal battle unfolds, the implications for public health and patient safety are profound. Authorities and healthcare providers are monitoring the situation closely, and patients are advised to seek validated medications rather than relying on unregulated compounded options.
This is a developing story, and updates will follow as more information becomes available. Stay tuned for further details on the legal proceedings and their impact on GLP-1 drug accessibility.
