Novo Nordisk files lawsuit to stop compounding pharmacies from doling out semaglutide drugs

Novo Nordisk lawsuit overview: 

• Who: Novo Nordisk Inc. has filed four lawsuits against pharmacies Brookville Pharmaceuticals Inc., Live Well Drug Store LLC, DCA Pharmacy and Wellhealth Inc. 
• Why: Novo Nordisk is the only company with approval from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration to sell products with semaglutide, but the pharmacies are selling generic versions without FDA approval, according to the Novo Nordisk lawsuit. 
• Where: The lawsuits were filed in federal court in Florida and Tennessee.
• How to find help: If you developed gallbladder problems after taking Ozempic, you may qualify to participate in an Ozempic gallbladder lawsuit investigation.

Novo Nordisk has filed lawsuits against four pharmacies for selling generic versions of its Wegovy, Ozempic and Rybelsus without FDA approval for the generic semaglutide drugs.

Brookville Pharmaceuticals Inc., Live Well Drug Store LLC, DCA Pharmacy and Wellhealth Inc., are the defendants in the lawsuits, filed in federal court in Florida and Tennessee.

Wegovy is intended for chronic weight management, while Ozempic and Rybelsus are semaglutide drugs used by those with type 2 diabetes to improve blood sugar along with diet and exercise.

Novo Nordisk is attempting to have the courts stop the sale of the generic semaglutide drugs.

“Florida state laws require drug manufacturers to demonstrate their drugs are safe and effective in order to obtain regulatory approval to market them,” the Novo Nordisk lawsuit states. “Defendant violates these laws by marketing and selling its Unapproved New Drugs throughout Florida and other states.”

FDA warned customers about using generic versions of semaglutide drugs

The generic drug sales violate Florida’s Deceptive and Unfair Trade Practices Act and Tennessee’s Consumer Protection Act and Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act, according to the Novo Nordisk lawsuit.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has warned customers against taking generic versions of weight-loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy.

Have you ever taken a weight loss drug such as Ozempic or Wegovy? Let us know in the comments.

The Novo Nordisk lawsuits are Novo Nordisk Inc. v. Brooksville Pharmaceuticals Inc., Case No. 8:23-cv-01503-WFJ-TGW, in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Tampa Division; Novo Nordisk Inc. v. Live Well Drug Store LLC, d/b/a Trulife Pharmacy Inc., Case No. 8:23-cv-01505-JLB-JSS, in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Jacksonville Division; Novo Nordisk Inc. v. DCA Pharmacy, Case No. 3:23-cv-00668, in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Tennessee, Nashville Division; and Novo Nordisk Inc. v. Wellhealth Inc., Case No. 3:23-cv-00782-TJC-LLL, in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida, Jacksonville Division.

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