Novo Nordisk cautioned on Wednesday that it expects continued competition this year from copycat versions of its Wegovy obesity drug, as it battled pressure from compounding pharmacies in the United States and rival Eli Lilly.

Second-quarter sales of the blockbuster drug soared 67% on year, despite millions of U.S. patients using generic unbranded versions of the drug.

COPENHAGEN (Reuters) -Wegovy-maker Novo Nordisk reported second-quarter sales up 18% on Wednesday, below initial analyst expectations, after a major profit warning and new CEO announcement last week wiped some $95 billion of value from the company's stock.