Key Takeaways Shares of WW International, better known as WeightWatchers, soared Tuesday after it said it is offering copycat weight-loss drugs to its members.The compounded treatments will contain the same active ingredient as Novo Nordisk's weight-loss medicines.

WW International ( NASDAQ: WW ), more commonly known as WeightWatchers, will now offer compounded semaglutide to its WeightWatchers Clinic members, expanding the accessibility of popular weight loss medications to its members at a more affordable price.

WeightWatchers will begin selling compounded alternatives to certain weight-loss drugs that are experiencing shortages. Why it matters: Federal law allows companies to sell compounded versions of drugs that are on the FDA's shortages list — which has led to a surge of copycats to the newly popular class of GLP-1 injections.

High demand has created a market for compounded versions of the drug best known as Ozemic or Wegovy, but doctors and the FDA say those versions come with risks.