Hims & Hers pulls copycat weight-loss pill after legal threats
Piotr Swat | Light Rocket | Getty Images
His and Hers It said on Saturday it would pull its counterfeit weight-loss pill from the market after it sparked controversy and threats of legal action earlier this week.
“Since launching the compounded semaglutide pill on our platform, we have had constructive discussions with industry stakeholders,” the telehealth provider said. sent on social media. “As a result, we have decided to discontinue providing access to this treatment. We remain committed to the millions of Americans who rely on us for access to safe, affordable and personalized care.”
Hims & Hers previously announced that the pharmaceutical giant was planning to create a cheaper, knock-off version Novo Nordisk Wegovy slimming pill. This treatment, which contains Wegovy’s active ingredient semaglutide, was planned to be released at a low price of $49 for the first month. Novo’s pill retails for about $100 more.
Novo on Thursday threatened legal action against Hims over what it called “illegal mass compounding,” adding that the company plans to take legal and regulatory action.
“This is another example of Hims & Hers’ historic behavior to deceive the American public with counterfeit GLP-1 products, and the FDA has previously warned them about deceptive advertising for counterfeit GLP-1 products,” Novo said. expression In that case.
On Friday, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration announced plans to take legal action against Hims & Hers for the pill, including restricting access to ingredients and referring the company to the Department of Justice.
In response, Hims said in a statement on Saturday that it had “always operated with a deep commitment to the safety and interests of consumers and in compliance with applicable laws.”
This move came at a time when the company was planning to run ads during Super Bowl 60 on Sunday. The ad features rapper Common voicing the message that “America’s wealth gap has become a health gap.”
Hims has previously said he expects the ad to “ruffle some feathers.”
