Overview
- Hims & Hers said it will sell a compounded semaglutide pill for $49 for the first month on a five‑month plan, then $99 per month, describing it as the same active ingredient as Wegovy but not evaluated or approved by the FDA.
- Novo Nordisk labeled the move illegal mass compounding, pledged legal and regulatory action, and stressed that only its FDA‑approved Wegovy pill uses SNAC technology to enable oral absorption.
- Shares moved sharply after the announcement, with Novo Nordisk down about 7% and Eli Lilly off roughly 6% in early trading as Hims initially jumped about 10% before later giving up gains.
- The development adds to pricing pressure highlighted by Novo this week as it guided 2026 sales and operating profit down 5% to 13% at constant exchange rates due to U.S. discounts, compounding, and rival competition.
- Regulatory risk remains elevated as the FDA previously warned Hims over misleading claims about compounded semaglutide, while analysts say the enforceability and timing of any crackdown on mass‑compounded oral GLP‑1s are uncertain.