With a pharma giant in its corner, WeightWatchers is mounting a comeback, relying on FDA-approved GLP-1 medications
WeightWatchers is deepening its partnership with Novo Nordisk to expand access to Wegovy, a blockbuster, FDA-approved GLP-1 weight loss drug, through the WeightWatchers Clinic online platform.
The announcement comes on the heels of Novo Nordisk’s recent high-profile split with telehealth platform Hims & Hers, a rather short-lived partnership that ended amid tensions over compounded versions of semaglutide. Ironically, the move underscores WeightWatchers’ position as one of the few platforms publicly committed to prescribing only FDA-approved weight loss medications, at a time when the company is navigating Chapter 11 bankruptcy in an effort to cut debt and reposition itself for long-term growth.
While WeightWatchers undergoes restructuring, the storied weight management company is moving forward with efforts to streamline access and improve the member experience. The expanded agreement with the pharmaceutical giant simplifies prescriptions through NovoCare Pharmacy and enables home delivery via CenterWell Pharmacy, as well as bundled pricing, shipment tracking and inventory visibility.
As part of the rollout, Novo Nordisk is offering a limited-time savings program for WeightWatchers Clinic members, with eligible cash-pay users able to access Wegovy for $299 through July 31.
“By deepening our collaboration with Novo Nordisk, we are helping more people access the FDA-approved treatment they deserve, delivered within a holistic clinical model proven to support real, sustainable and improved health outcomes,” WeightWatchers’ chief commercial officer Scott Honken said. “In a market increasingly cluttered with hype and shortcuts, WeightWatchers remains the trusted leader, bringing together access to safe, FDA-approved medication and best-in-class lifestyle support, setting the bar for the gold standard of responsible weight management.”
Beyond expanded access and pricing incentives, WeightWatchers and Novo Nordisk will explore joint research efforts to assess the impact of pairing Wegovy with WeightWatchers’ behavioral and nutrition programs.
“As we work to expand access to life-changing, FDA-approved treatments like Wegovy, it is essential that we partner with organizations that share our values and focus on improving long-term outcomes,” Novo Nordisk executive vice president of U.S. operations Dave Moore said. “In a space crowded with quick-fix promises, and unapproved and unsafe compounded medications, we are excited to collaborate with WeightWatchers and their science-backed, responsible approach to care.”
“Their focus on behavioral support, real-world outcomes, and FDA-approved treatment aligns with our values,” Moore added.” We believe this expanded collaboration will help more people access safe, effective, and sustainable weight management.”
Zooming out, the rise of GLP-1 use is changing the economics of weight loss spending (and fast). A new study published in JAMA shows consumer spending on GLP-1 drugs like Wegovy and Ozempic surged from $13.7 billion in 2018 to $71.7 billion in 2023 in the U.S., with the steepest increase between 2022 and 2023.
