BALTIMORE, MD—Maryland Attorney General Anthony G. Brown has joined a bipartisan coalition of 37 states and territories urging the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to crack down on the sale of counterfeit weight loss and diabetes drugs. The coalition’s letter highlights the dangers of these counterfeit medications, which include Mounjaro, Zepbound, Ozempic, and Wegovy (GLP-1 drugs).
The letter, co-led by South Carolina, Colorado, Illinois, and Tennessee, emphasizes the risks posed by online retailers illegally selling the active ingredients of GLP-1 drugs directly to consumers without prescriptions. These retailers often claim that the products are “for research purposes only” or “not for human consumption,” but are marketed directly to consumers as an easier and more affordable alternative to prescription drugs. Like counterfeit versions, these active ingredients originate from undisclosed, unregulated sources and risk contamination with foreign substances.
Attorney General Brown stressed the importance of consumer protection, stating, “Online retailers that sell counterfeit, unregulated medications endanger their patients’ lives and health. Protecting Marylanders is my highest priority. We refuse to let companies exploit Marylanders who just want to live healthy lives.”
The coalition’s letter calls on the FDA to utilize its resources to halt the deceptive practices of counterfeit drug manufacturers and increase enforcement actions against compounding pharmacies involved in the illegal sale of these drugs. The letter also encourages the FDA to collaborate with state pharmacy boards to ensure the safe and sanitary production of compounded GLP-1 drugs.
This article was written with the assistance of AI and reviewed by a human editor.
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