FDA Moves Toward Allowing Pharmacies to Produce Banned Peptides
The FDA is moving toward allowing compounding pharmacies to produce over a dozen injectable peptides that were previously banned due to safety concerns, The New York Times' Christina Jewett and Dani Blum reports. In 2023, 14 such peptides, unapproved by the FDA and marketed with unproven cosmetic, anti-aging, or disease-fighting claims, were removed from the list of compounds these pharmacies could legally produce for individualized patient use. Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has said in recent podcast appearances that he is pushing for the F.D.A. to reverse the prohibition on the peptides, which include some that act as growth-hormone stimulators. Shares of Hims & Hers, which sells peptide-based products, are up nearly 4% in morning trading to $19.47.
Trade with 70% Backtested Accuracy
Analyst Views on HIMS
About HIMS
About the author

- Stock Surge: Hims & Hers Health Inc. (HIMS) shares surged nearly 6% in Tuesday morning trading, primarily driven by the FDA's plan to lift restrictions on peptide drugs, reflecting market optimism about the company's growth prospects.
- Policy Shift: According to a report by The New York Times, the FDA is considering allowing compounding pharmacies to manufacture over a dozen injectable peptides that were previously banned due to safety risks, which will create new market opportunities for companies like HIMS.
- Market Impact: This policy reversal will end a 2023 ban on 14 peptides, meaning HIMS can re-enter this potentially lucrative market, thereby enhancing its competitiveness in the compounded medication sector.
- Industry Outlook: With the FDA's decision, HIMS is poised to expand its product line to meet the growing customer demand, further solidifying its market position in the health tech industry.
- Subscription Program Launch: Novo Nordisk has introduced a multi-month subscription program for its Wegovy obesity drug, aiming to provide cash-paying patients with lower, predictable monthly prices, with potential annual savings of up to $1,200.
- Flexible Options: Patients can choose from three, six, or twelve-month subscriptions, with lower monthly fees for both the injection and the newly launched pill, priced at $329 for three months, $299 for six months, and $249 for twelve months for the injection.
- Competitive Market Pressure: Following the explosive uptake of Novo's pill since its U.S. launch in January, it is set to face competition from Eli Lilly's upcoming oral GLP-1, which currently holds a 60% market share in the U.S.
- Patient Support Strategy: Novo emphasizes that the subscription program not only aids patients in starting therapy but also helps them manage pricing fluctuations during treatment, aiming to enhance long-term adherence to obesity treatment.
- Subscription Program Launch: Novo Nordisk launched a multi-month subscription program for its Wegovy obesity drug on Tuesday, aiming to provide cash-paying patients with lower and more predictable monthly prices, thereby enhancing patient adherence to therapy.
- Pricing and Savings: The three-month subscription for the injection is priced at $329 per month, saving patients $240 annually, while the 12-month plan drops to $249 per month, allowing for savings of up to $1,200 per year, significantly easing the financial burden on patients.
- Market Competition Pressure: As Novo's Wegovy drug experiences rapid uptake in the U.S. market, it is expected to face competition from an upcoming oral GLP-1 from Eli Lilly, which currently holds about 60% of the GLP-1 market share compared to Novo's 39%.
- Patient Flexibility: Patients can opt out of the subscription while active, and Novo aims to help patients feel more comfortable managing obesity treatment in the long term, although the program is not yet available on its NovoCare platform.
- Increased Medication Accessibility: Hims & Hers Health Inc. announced a collaboration with Novo Nordisk to make FDA-approved GLP-1 medications like Wegovy and Ozempic more accessible, potentially aiding eligible customers in losing up to 20% of their body weight, thereby significantly improving their health outcomes.
- Diverse Dosage Options: The newly launched Wegovy medications include various dosage options such as injections of 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg, and 2.4 mg, along with oral medications in 1.5 mg, 4 mg, 9 mg, and 25 mg strengths, catering to different customer needs and enhancing market competitiveness.
- Membership Program Launch: The company has introduced a new weight loss membership program that offers 24/7 access to healthcare providers, personalized nutrition guidance, and peer support, with an initial cost of $39 for the first month and $149 thereafter, aimed at increasing customer success rates in weight loss through comprehensive support.
- Transparent Pricing: Medication prices start at $149 per month, and customers can utilize HSA and FSA plans to cover medication costs, enhancing payment flexibility and attracting more potential users to join the membership program.
- Diverse Drug Dosing: HIMS has launched Wegovy with injection doses of 0.25 mg, 0.5 mg, 1 mg, 1.7 mg, and 2.4 mg, with a 7.2 mg dose to follow, aiming to cater to various patient needs and enhance market competitiveness.
- Innovative Membership Service: The new weight-loss membership starts at $39 for the first month and $149 thereafter, offering 24/7 medical support and personalized nutrition guidance, which is designed to increase customer retention and create a sustainable revenue stream.
- Legal Dispute Resolution: Following Novo Nordisk's withdrawal of its patent infringement lawsuit against HIMS, a partnership was formed allowing HIMS to offer FDA-approved Wegovy and Ozempic at lower self-pay prices, demonstrating the company's adaptability in compliance and market strategy.
- Market Reaction Analysis: Despite HIMS stock declining approximately 37% year-to-date, the collaboration with NVO may improve its market perception, although retail investor sentiment remains bearish, indicating cautious outlooks on future performance.
- Product Launch: Hims & Hers Health has commenced sales of Novo Nordisk's GLP-1 medications Wegovy and Ozempic, offering all injectable strengths and the Wegovy pill, which is expected to significantly enhance the company's competitiveness in the weight loss and diabetes treatment markets.
- Membership Service Introduction: The company has launched a new weight loss membership service that provides 24/7 access to providers, personalized nutrition guidance, and clinical check-ins, with an introductory fee of $39 for the first month and $149 thereafter, aimed at increasing customer loyalty and revenue through value-added services.
- Pricing Strategy: The Wegovy injection is priced at $199 per month, with the pill at $149, while Ozempic also starts at $199 per month; this pricing strategy is designed to help the company achieve profitability in a high-demand market.
- Legal Dispute Resolution: Hims & Hers has resolved its dispute with Novo Nordisk, allowing the former to sell compounded versions of semaglutide under very limited circumstances, providing the company with more flexibility to meet market demands.











