Noom, a prominent player in digital health focused on behavior-based weight management, has announced the launch of Noom GLP-1Rx, a compounded GLP-1 medication aimed at providing a more affordable alternative to expensive branded weight loss drugs. Starting at $149 for the first month and $279 thereafter, the new service positions itself against brand-name medications, which can cost up to eight times more.
This innovative offering will be integrated with Noom’s existing nutrition and exercise programs, specifically designed to help users retain lean muscle mass during their weight loss journeys. The company is also implementing a “taper-off guarantee,” which allows users to gradually reduce their reliance on medications while maintaining their progress.
Noom is committed to supporting users who regain weight within 18 months after a 12-month course of Noom GLP-1Rx, offering either a year of free Noom services or substantial discounts on medications.
The company has been providing access to branded GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound, and Mounjaro. The newly introduced off-label medications utilize compounded semaglutide, the same active ingredient found in the major brand names, and are sourced through a 503B compounding pharmacy regulated by the Food and Drug Administration.
To qualify for Noom GLP-1Rx, members will be assessed by board-certified physicians specializing in obesity and weight management. The medications will be delivered directly to patients within seven days of ordering.
The escalating costs of branded weight loss medications, such as Wegovy, which can exceed $1,000 monthly without insurance, have prompted digital health companies to seek solutions. Noom CEO Geoff Cook highlighted the significant issues surrounding GLP-1 medications, particularly low adherence rates and the risk of lean muscle loss. “Evidence shows that six out of seven people do not stay on these medications long-term,” Cook stated. “We aim to provide affordable access to these vital treatments while facilitating a sustainable path toward lasting weight loss.”
Noom is not alone in its pursuit of affordable weight loss options; competitors like Sesame, Hims & Hers, and Ro have also begun offering compounded semaglutide medications at reduced prices. For instance, Sesame’s new program offers access to compounded semaglutide for $249 per month.
Concerns over high drug prices have attracted attention from federal lawmakers, including Senator Bernie Sanders, who has criticized the disparity in costs between the U.S. and other countries. In a recent letter to the CEO of Novo Nordisk, Sanders noted that Wegovy is priced at $1,349 in the U.S., while it can be obtained for approximately $140 in Germany and $92 in the UK. Novo Nordisk’s CEO is scheduled to testify before the Senate HELP Committee on Tuesday.
In response to ongoing affordability issues, Noom is advocating for regulatory measures to maintain compounding exemptions until the prices of brand-name medications in major U.S. cities align with those abroad. Cook asserted, “These medications should be priced between $200 and $300 a month, not $1,300. We urge policymakers to address this disparity to ensure greater access for patients.”
