Hims & Hers drops plans for knockoff weight loss pill; Washington Post editor steps down

A telehealth company, Hims & Hers, has halted plans to market a compounded version of the weight-loss drug Wegovy. This decision came two days after the company’s initial announcement and one day after the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) signaled its intent to restrict access to the ingredients necessary to create such copies.

The Shift in Strategy

Last week, Hims & Hers announced it would offer a compounded pill mirroring Wegovy, a medication recently released by Novo Nordisk. Novo Nordisk responded with a threat of legal action. Subsequently, the FDA stated it was preparing to take “decisive steps” to limit access to the active ingredients found in popular GLP-1 drugs, including Wegovy, Ozempic, and Zepbound.

Did You Know? Novo Nordisk threatened to sue Hims & Hers immediately after the telehealth company announced its intention to offer a compounded version of Wegovy.

Hims & Hers explained its reversal by stating it had engaged in “constructive conversations with stakeholders across the industry.” The company’s statement concluded with the decision to discontinue access to the compounded treatment.

Separate Developments at The Washington Post

In a separate matter, Will Lewis has stepped down from his position as publisher of The Washington Post. This follows a period described as “troubled” and occurred three days after the newspaper announced staff layoffs impacting one-third of its workforce.

Lewis communicated his departure to staff via email, citing two years of “transformation” as the appropriate time to step aside. Jeff D’Onofrio, the Post’s chief financial officer, has been appointed as interim publisher. Neither Lewis nor the newspaper’s owner, Jeff Bezos, were present during the staff meeting where the layoffs were announced.

Expert Insight: The Hims & Hers situation highlights the complex interplay between pharmaceutical companies, telehealth providers, and regulatory bodies like the FDA. The FDA’s stated intention to limit ingredient access suggests a broader effort to control the market for these medications and potentially address concerns about safety and efficacy of compounded drugs.

The layoffs at The Washington Post included the elimination of its sports section and photography staff, indicating deeper cuts than initially anticipated.

What Could Happen Next

The FDA could follow through with its plans to restrict access to the active ingredients in GLP-1 drugs. This could lead to increased scrutiny of compounding pharmacies and potentially limit the availability of alternative weight-loss treatments. Hims & Hers may explore other treatment options or focus on areas less likely to face immediate regulatory challenges.

At The Washington Post, D’Onofrio’s tenure as interim publisher could lead to further restructuring or a search for a permanent replacement. The extent of the impact on the newspaper’s coverage and operations remains to be seen.

Frequently Asked Questions

What prompted Hims & Hers to change its plans?

Hims & Hers stopped offering the compounded Wegovy pill after the FDA announced plans to restrict access to the ingredients needed to copy popular weight-loss medications.

Who threatened to sue Hims & Hers?

Novo Nordisk, the maker of Wegovy, immediately threatened to sue Hims & Hers after the company announced its plan to offer a compounded version of the drug.

What changes are happening at The Washington Post?

The Washington Post’s publisher, Will Lewis, has stepped down, and the newspaper laid off one-third of its staff, resulting in the shutdown of its sports section and the elimination of its photography staff.

How might increased FDA regulation of compounding pharmacies affect access to medications for patients?