Weightwatchers moves into surging online drug market

WW International, formerly Weightwatchers, is moving into the surging market for prescription weight-loss drugs.

The New York company has bought Sequence, an online health platform that offers access to such medication.

The $132m (£112m) deal will involve it expanding beyond its subscriber meal plans and diet programmes in the hope of reversing slumping revenue. It had 3.5m subscribers last year.

Chief executive Sima Sistani said: “Weightwatchers does not participate in fads or quick-fix trends that we do not view as healthy or sustainable, even when they are highly popular.

“But we view the use of certain medications under the guidance of a medical professional very differently.”