While moderation and self-control were once WeightWatchers’ main topics, the company has since moved on to connecting customers with doctors who can prescribe weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy through its WeightWatchers Clinic telemedicine service. However, he says it was a “difficult change of direction.” fast companypoints out that there is a shortage of so-called GLP-1 drugs, and that nearly half of the clinic’s clients are unable to get coverage from their insurance companies. Now, another twist: WeightWatchers plans to give customers whose insurance doesn’t cover Novo Nordisk’s big name brand access to a weight-loss drug that uses compounded semaglutide and will be sold through its own online prescription service .
WeightWatchers will partner with an FDA-registered compounding facility to supply large quantities of counterfeit drugs each month. For a fee The first month is $129 per customer, then $189 per month. quartz ($49 initial fee and clinic membership also required; disclaimer states prices are subject to adjustment). On the other hand, a month’s supply from a well-known brand can cost nearly $1,000. The news sent the company’s stock price soaring in early October, with shares soaring nearly 25%. investmentpedia.
But while investors and customers may be elated, medical experts are concerned about the risks of such counterfeit drugs. fast company It points out that if facilities manufacturing the compound semaglutide are not regulated, they could produce large quantities of dangerous product. Some drugs running without regulation have already produced drugs that cause vomiting and other side effects in patients. And even though the facility is used by WeightWatchers; teeth The FDA approval says it “clearly sends mixed messages to customers for a business that is essentially trying to sell people a behavior change.” (More WeightWatchers articles.)
