Attorney General Rhea calls for action against counterfeit weight loss drug makers

KINGSHILL — Attorney General Gordon C. Rhea joined a 38-state and territory bipartisan coalition requesting that the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) take swift action against those distributing counterfeit forms of the weight loss and diabetes drugs Mounjaro, Zepbound, Ozempic, and Wegovy.

“Counterfeit and unregulated drugs pose a serious risk to public health and it is crucial that the
FDA take immediate action to protect consumers,” Attorney General Rhea said. “We must hold those responsible for distributing these dangerous substances accountable and ensure that all drugs are produced and sold safely and legally.”

The letter states that “online retailers are illegally selling the active ingredients of GLP-1 drugs directly to consumers, without a prescription. These retailers claim that the active ingredients they sell are “for research purposes only” or “not for human consumption.”

In reality, these companies advertise directly to consumers on social media, claiming that their products are an easier and more affordable way to obtain GLP-1 drugs.

Much like with counterfeit versions, these active ingredients come from unregulated, undisclosed sources and pose risks of contamination and inclusion of foreign substances.

The letter asserts that the FDA has the expertise and resources to stop deceptive practices by counterfeit drug manufacturers and calls for increased enforcement.