FDA Seize $268K Worth of Fake Weight Loss Drugs in Cincinnati
Source: SEBASTIEN BOZON / Getty
Moving weight takes on a new meaning…
Cincinnati Customs and Border Protection (CBP) and the FDA seized roughly 63 shipments of counterfeit weight loss drugs. The items would have had a combined value of over $268,000, if legitimate.
According to officials, the counterfeit drugs were found during inspections and came from countries such as China, South Korea, India, Italy, Guatemala, the United Kingdom, and Canada.
The counterfeit drugs seized were unauthorized versions of Ozempic, Wegovy, and Trulicity, all of which are in high demand for weight loss purposes. Ozempic is FDA-approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes but is not approved for weight loss. Other medications found in the shipments included Botox, Minoxidil, and Riaxon.
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CBP spokesperson Steve Bansbach noted that the captured drugs were headed for various locations across the U.S., including Indiana, Michigan, and Pennsylvania. The CBP and FDA emphasize that counterfeit and fraudulent prescription drugs, especially injectable products that are supposed to be sterile, can pose significant health risks to users. These drugs had not gone through the necessary FDA review and testing, and contained unknown or dangerous ingredients.
The organizations also warned that when purchasing medications from online sources, there is no guarantee that the ingredients are safe.
“These drugs can be expensive and hard to acquire in many places, but CBP advises consumers to only purchase medications from reputable sources,” Bansbach said.
CBP and the FDA advises consumers to purchase pharmaceuticals only from reputable sources and to consult with licensed medical professionals before using.
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