In a strategic move to fortify its position in the booming weight-loss medication space, Hims & Hers Health, a prominent U.S.-based telehealth company, has announced it will now offer Eli Lilly’s branded weight-loss drug Zepbound on its platform. This development marks a significant expansion of the company’s obesity care portfolio, especially at a time when regulatory shifts threaten the availability of compounded alternatives.
The decision to include Lilly’s tirzepatide-based drugs, which include Zepbound for weight management and Mounjaro for type 2 diabetes, comes as Hims & Hers braces for tightened U.S. FDA oversight on semaglutide-based compound medications—the active ingredient in Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy and Ozempic.
The company also plans to continue offering generics of liraglutide, another weight-loss compound used in Novo’s diabetes treatment Saxenda.
Adapting to a Changing Regulatory Landscape
This move follows the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s February decision to remove semaglutide-based drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic from the official drug shortage list. The previous shortage had allowed companies like Hims & Hers to market and sell cheaper compounded versions of these medications. However, with FDA’s new guidelines and deadlines for compounders—ranging from state-licensed pharmacies to outsourcing facilities—the scope for selling these compounded drugs is rapidly narrowing.
Hims & Hers had earlier indicated that its ability to continue selling compounded semaglutide products might soon be constrained, citing uncertainty around future supply and legal permissions.
Widening the Customer Funnel
By integrating Lilly’s Zepbound, which is priced at around $1,899 per month, Hims & Hers aims to cater to a wider range of consumer needs—despite the higher price point compared to compounded versions. The company also continues to offer branded and low-cost versions of Novo’s Wegovy, creating a layered pricing strategy that may appeal to different segments of its customer base.
Industry experts believe this broadened access to FDA-approved branded drugs could help Hims & Hers offset recent stock market volatility and expand its reach amid changing regulations. The company’s shares have dipped by over 40% since February, largely attributed to the FDA’s regulatory tightening around semaglutide copies.
No Direct Partnership with Eli Lilly
While Zepbound will be made available through Hims & Hers’ telehealth services, Eli Lilly has clarified that it has no official partnership with the platform. The drug, like any FDA-approved medication, can be prescribed by any licensed healthcare provider, and Lilly’s statement confirms it has no affiliation with third-party sellers like Hims & Hers.
The Road Ahead
The inclusion of FDA-approved branded obesity treatments may offer Hims & Hers greater regulatory stability while enhancing credibility with patients seeking weight management solutions via telehealth. As compounded versions of popular GLP-1 drugs come under increasing scrutiny, platforms like Hims & Hers are likely to pivot further towards regulated branded medications, albeit at higher costs.
For now, the company’s weight-loss play appears to be shifting from affordability through compounding to accessibility via telehealth—a transition that could define the next phase of growth in consumer-led obesity care.