Attorney General Lynn Fitch joined abipartisan 37-state coalition requesting that the Food and Drug Administration(FDA) take swift action against bad actors who are endangering consumerswith counterfeit forms of the weight loss and diabetes drugs Mounjaro,Zepbound, Ozempic, and Wegovy (GLP-1 drugs)."
As the popularity of weight loss and diabetes medication soars, so does the riseof their counterfeits. It is critical that Mississippians remain vigilant and ensurethat they are purchasing safe, regulated products," said Attorney GeneralFitch. "I am proud to stand with my colleagues as we fight against those whoare taking advantage of consumers and endangering their health."The letter states that “online retailers are illegally selling the active ingredientsof GLP-1 drugs directly to consumers, without a prescription. These retailersclaim that the active ingredients they sell are ’for research purposes only’ or ’notfor human consumption’. In reality, these companies advertise directly toconsumers on social media, claiming that their products are an easier and moreaffordable way to obtain GLP-1 drugs.
Much like with counterfeit versions,these active ingredients come from unregulated, undisclosed sources like Chinaand India and pose risks of contamination and inclusion of foreign substances."The letter asks the FDA to use its expertise and resources to stop the badconduct and deceptive practices by counterfeit drug manufacturers and urgesthe FDA to increase enforcement actions against compounding pharmaciesillegally participating in this market. It also encourages the FDA to partner withstate pharmacy boards to ensure compounded GLP-1 drugs are produced safelyand in sanitary environments. The Attorney General’s Office and the Mississippi Board of Pharmacy areworking together to protect Mississippians from counterfeit GLP-1 drugs. Theyurge Mississippians to work with their licensed prescriber and pharmacist whentaking these prescription medications and to purchase them only from alicensed and regulated source.
AG Fitch signed this letter, joined by her colleagues from South Carolina,Colorado, Illinois, Tennessee, Alaska, Arkansas, Connecticut, Delaware, Districtof Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine,Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nevada, New Mexico, NewYork, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania,Rhode Island, Utah, Vermont, Virgin Islands, Virginia, West Virginia, and Wisconsin.
Original source can be found here.