Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul has issued a consumer alert, cautioning Illinois residents to stay vigilant in their search for GLP-1 medications, commonly used for weight loss, such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound, and to avoid unapproved and potentially hazardous versions of these drugs being peddled by various sellers, including med spas, wellness centers, and online outlets. In a recent development, the Attorney General has taken action against sellers misleading consumers with unverified and unsanctioned alternatives to approved GLP-1 drugs, according to the Illinois Attorney General's office.
Raoul's office has moved with cease and desist letters to address five med spas using deceptive language in their promotion of these products, compounded drugs made on-site for specific patients that are not approved by the FDA and can be unlike generic drugs in that they have not been reviewed for safety, quality, or effectiveness, and in cases where FDA-approved medications are scarce, only larger pharmacies are permitted by the FDA to produce compounded versions from the active ingredient, according to the concerns expressed by Raoul, who stated, "Millions of Americans are looking for help losing weight, and for reasons ranging from the costs to the availability of prescription drugs, they are looking for alternate means of buying what can be lifesaving medications."
Attorney General Raoul has warned against compounded and fake GLP-1 products being sold by some sellers who are not forthcoming about the risks and who may offer these medications in unproven forms such as drops, sprays, skin patches, or other formulations not evaluated by the FDA; the FDA has even issued warnings against the sale of certain illegal GLP-1 products.
To assist individuals in identifying and avoiding these potential risks, consumers are encouraged to consider a series of questions before purchasing GLP-1 medications: asking whether medications are being sold without a prescription or supervision of a licensed health provider, whether the product is being sold as a research-grade or for research purposes only, and whether claims are made about safety and efficacy not supported by regulatory agencies are some of the guidelines provided by Raoul, who urges consumers to seek a trusted physician's counsel and only fill prescriptions at state-licensed pharmacies, as the unchecked pursuit of weight loss drugs on the periphery of medical oversight teeters on a precarious ledge with the health of many in balance.
For those seeking to safely acquire GLP-1 medications, Raoul recommends visiting the FDA’s online pharmacy information page, which provides resources on safely obtaining prescription medicines online, and he further encourages residents to report any deceptive marketing or sales of unsafe products to the Attorney General’s website or through the Consumer Fraud Hotlines.
