FDA Ruling Blocks Ozempic Copycats, Reinforcing Semaglutide Restrictions

A Texas federal court upheld the FDA’s directive banning compounding pharmacies from producing semaglutide, the ingredient fueling popular weight-loss drugs Ozempic and Wegovy. When semaglutide supplies were limited, some pharmacists offered cheaper copies, but brand maker Novo Nordisk objected once production rebounded, arguing compounding no longer met shortage criteria. Critics label this a blow to patients priced out of brand medications that can cost hundreds monthly. Novo Nordisk insists brand exclusivity ensures dose consistency and safety. For many reliant on semaglutide to manage obesity or diabetes, the ban likely means either paying high prices or forgoing treatment.