South Raleigh News

Attorney General Jeff Jackson, along with 37 other Attorneys General from both political parties, has urged the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to take action against the sale of counterfeit drugs. These fake versions of popular weight-loss and diabetes medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro, and Zepbound are reportedly being sold online.

In a statement released by Attorney General Jackson, he emphasized the dangers posed by these counterfeit drugs: “Counterfeit versions of these drugs are flowing into North Carolina from all over the world. The potential for harm to unsuspecting buyers is significant. Unregulated active ingredients of these drugs are also being illegally sold online. The FDA needs to take immediate action to guard consumers against this new threat, and we’re here to work with them to make sure that happens.”

The coalition's letter to the FDA highlights concerns about counterfeit GLP-1 drugs containing contaminants or unregulated active ingredients entering the United States from countries including China, Turkey, and India. It notes that online retailers often use social media platforms to sell these active ingredients without prescriptions, posing risks due to potentially harmful substances.

The Attorneys General have requested that the FDA intensify enforcement actions against these illegal activities and collaborate with state pharmacy boards for better consumer protection.

Joining Attorney General Jackson in signing this letter were his counterparts from states including Alaska, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Georgia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Nevada New Mexico New York North Dakota Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Rhode Island South Carolina Tennessee Utah Vermont Virgin Islands Virginia West Virginia Wisconsin.