Danish pharmaceutical giant Novo Nordisk has launched legal action against American company Hims & Hers, asserting that Hims & Hers is selling a 'dangerous' imitation of its popular weight loss medications, Ozempic and Wegovy. This lawsuit is notable in the context of the booming weight loss drug market, where demand has surged in recent years, particularly for Novo Nordisk's products and competing drugs like Eli Lilly's Zepbound and Mounjaro.

Novo Nordisk is seeking a sales ban on Hims & Hers' weight-loss pills and injections, claiming that these products have not received approval from U.S. regulators and violate its patents. As patents for various weight loss drugs start to expire, cheaper generic versions are entering the market, some of which may not be safe for consumers, prompting concerns from Novo Nordisk regarding public health and safety.

The company emphasizes that its legal action aims to 'protect people's health and safeguard American scientific innovations in health care'. This highlights the ongoing tensions within the pharmaceutical industry as competition intensifies, raising questions about drug safety and efficacy, especially as new players attempt to offer alternatives to established brands in a rapidly growing market.