Novo Nordisk has filed a total of nine lawsuits against various medical spas, wellness clinics, and pharmacies for allegedly selling impure products that claim to contain semaglutide, the active ingredient found in the weight loss and diabetes drugs Wegovy and Ozempic. These legal disputes are the latest in a series of conflicts between the Danish drugmaker and companies that claim to offer semaglutide products. The lawsuits were filed against companies such as Aesthetic Maison, Midtown Express, MediOAK, and Weight Loss MD, with Novo Nordisk claiming that some of the products were found to be up to 24% impure, potentially causing serious and life-threatening reactions like anaphylaxis.
Novo Nordisk alleges that Aesthetic Maison, a wellness firm based in Texas, sold products claiming to contain semaglutide directly to patients without a prescription from a medical professional. The company also deceived customers by comparing their products to Wegovy and Ozempic, claiming they were safe and effective. In another case, a drug sold by Midtown Express, a Nashville-based pharmacy, was found to contain no semaglutide despite advertising otherwise. MediOAK was accused of selling a product claiming to contain semaglutide that was 20% weaker than what was stated on the label. Weight Loss MD claimed to sell an approved compounded form of Wegovy, even though the FDA has not approved any compounded form of the drug.
As a result of these alleged violations, Novo Nordisk is seeking for the companies to stop marketing and selling products that claim to contain semaglutide. The company is also requesting compensation of up to $75,000 from each of the defendants. According to reports, the FDA has received a total of 442 adverse event cases associated with compounded drugs that claim to contain semaglutide as of March 31. These events include serious adverse reactions, hospitalizations, and even deaths, though they have not all been confirmed by the agency’s reporting database.
In recent years, Novo Nordisk has filed a total of 12 lawsuits to prevent companies from selling impure compounded drugs that claim to contain semaglutide. The company has noted that five of its previous legal challenges have successfully prevented companies from selling their products. Wegovy was approved by the FDA for weight loss in 2021, while Ozempic is approved for patients with type 2 diabetes and heart disease, although it is often prescribed off-label for weight loss purposes. A similar situation is seen with Eli Lilly, the manufacturer of the weight loss drug Zepbound, who has also filed lawsuits against companies claiming to sell compounded drugs with tirzepatide, the drug’s active ingredient. In a previous lawsuit, Eli Lilly sued 11 online pharmacies for falsely advertising unapproved drugs.
The ongoing legal battles between Novo Nordisk and companies selling impure compounded drugs highlight the importance of ensuring the safety and efficacy of pharmaceutical products. As consumers seek out ways to manage weight and improve their health, it is crucial for companies to adhere to regulations and provide accurate information about the products they are selling. The lawsuits filed by Novo Nordisk serve as a reminder of the potential risks associated with counterfeit or impure medications, and the importance of holding companies accountable for their actions in order to protect public health and safety.
