Hims & Hers under fire over copycat weight loss drugs
The Hill
by Joseph ChoiFebruary 19, 2026
AI-Generated Deep Dive Summary
Hims & Hers, an online telemedicine platform known for selling non-FDA approved versions of weight loss drugs like semaglutide, is under fire from federal regulators. The company has faced increasing scrutiny for its practices, which include bypassing traditional medical gatekeepers to sell prescription medications directly to consumers. This approach has raised concerns among health experts and regulators, who argue that such practices pose significant risks to public health by circumventing established safety protocols.
The controversy surrounding Hims & Hers centers on its marketing of "copycat" drugs—medications designed to mimic brand-name treatments like semaglutide, which is commonly prescribed for type 2 diabetes and weight management. These medications are sold without FDA approval, operating in a legal gray area that allows them to bypass the rigorous testing and oversight required for official drug approvals. Critics argue that this undermines public trust in medical regulations and puts patients at risk by offering unapproved treatments.
Hims & Hers' business model has been particularly controversial in the context of politics and regulatory oversight. The company's ability to market these drugs directly to consumers, often through telemedicine platforms, has created a loophole that critics say exploits gaps in federal regulations. This has sparked debates about how much control the government should exert over online healthcare providers and whether current laws are sufficient to protect public health.
The broader implications of this case extend beyond Hims & Hers itself. It highlights tensions between innovation and regulation in the pharmaceutical industry, as well as questions about access to affordable medications. Advocates for patient rights argue that stricter oversight is necessary to ensure that unproven or unsafe drugs do not enter the market, while supporters of the company's model emphasize the importance of providing affordable alternatives to expensive brand-name medications.
Ultimately, the battle over Hims & Hers' practices underscores a critical political and public health issue: how to balance innovation with safety in an era where online platforms are increasingly
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Originally published on The Hill on 2/19/2026