California Attorney General Rob Bonta, along with a bipartisan coalition of 38 states and territories, has called on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to take action against those unlawfully profiting from the demand for FDA-approved weight loss and diabetes drugs. The coalition's letter highlights the increased demand for GLP-1 medications such as Mounjaro, Zepbound, Ozempic, and Wegovy, which has led to supply shortages and high costs that have been exploited by wrongdoers.
"In California and across the country, a growing number of individuals are turning to weight loss drugs. My fellow attorneys general and I are urging the FDA to protect consumers from the growing threat posed by adulterated or counterfeit versions of these drugs," said Attorney General Bonta. He emphasized that a federal response is necessary because many counterfeit drugs are shipped from outside the country.
The coalition urges the FDA to collaborate with federal partners like the Department of Homeland Security to intercept counterfeit GLP-1 drugs before they reach consumers. These counterfeit drugs may contain contaminants or unknown substances and can infiltrate the U.S. supply chain. Most consumers cannot determine if their medication is legitimate or fake.
The letter also calls for continued warning letters to online retailers illegally selling active ingredients of GLP-1 drugs without prescriptions. If unlawful actions persist, enforcement should follow. Some companies advertise these products as research purposes only but target consumers directly on social media as an affordable way to obtain GLP-1 drugs.
Additionally, enforcement against compounding pharmacies involved in this market is urged. With certain GLP-1 active ingredients listed under drug shortages, some pharmacies have produced these medications unsafely for profit. The FDA should work with state pharmacy boards to ensure safe production practices.
Attorney General Bonta joins his counterparts from Colorado, South Carolina, Illinois, Tennessee, Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Nevada New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island Utah Vermont Virginia West Virginia Wisconsin District of Columbia U.S Virgin Islands in sending this letter.
A copy of the letter can be found here.