Pills vs Profits: The State of Pharmaceutical Patents and Compounded Drugs
August 25 2026 - By Sophie Wang
Fundamentally protected by the US Constitution is the right to create intellectual property, of which includes patents in order “To promote the Progress of Science and useful Arts, by securing for limited Times to Authors and Inventors the exclusive Right to their respective Writings and Discoveries. This applies equally from one’s creative drawing of a pig to innovations created by teams of researchers.
In modern times, the balance between profit and benefitting the general public has become increasingly difficult to navigate. While proponents of pharmaceutical patents argue that they incentivize continued innovation and development, others argue that inflated prices decrease access for the vulnerable.
Just recently, Novo Nordisk’s patented weightloss drug, Wegovy, was under discussion when Hims & Hers, an American telehealth company, attempted to launch a $49 dollar copy of the drug. The drug was a compounded version of Wegovy, a type of drug that results from pharmacists combining multiple drugs, which does not have FDA approval. Previously, Wegovy and other GLP-1 related drugs were able to be compounded legally, as the FDA deemed there to be a shortage, but that ended in 2024. Ultimately, Novo Nordisk dropped the lawsuit against Hims & Hers, and the two companies are currently working towards a partnership to put Wegovy on the platform.
While the lawsuit ended in a partnership, Novo Nordisk is still under pressure to perform well. With the Wegovy patent expiring in countries such as Canada, China, and India, Novo Nordisk anticipates competition from generic versions of the drug. To consumers, this is good news as more options become available on the market. To pharmaceutical companies, it necessitates the diversification of income streams.
AUTHORED BY:
Sophie Wang
REFERENCES:
https://constitution.congress.gov/browse/article-1/section-8/clause-8/ https://www.reuters.com/legal/litigation/novo-nordisk-sues-hims-hers-over-patent-infringement-2026-02-09/
https://www.pbs.org/newshour/nation/novo-nordisk-drops-lawsuit-against-hims-hers-over-off-brand-weight-loss-medications-enter-collaboration
https://www.hmpgloballearningnetwork.com/site/pln/news/novo-nordisk-drops-patent-suit-hims-hers-shifts-fda-approved-semaglutide-products
https://www.reuters.com/business/healthcare-pharmaceuticals/novo-nordisk-patent-expiry-opens-door-cheaper-weight-loss-drugs-india-2026-03-19/
PHOTO CREDITS:
©K KStock/ADOBE Stock
