MOUNT
PROSPECT, Ill., April 24,
2024 /PRNewswire/ -- The National Association of
Boards of Pharmacy® (NABP®) released a new
RogueRx Activity Report, Injectable Weight Loss Drugs: How
Illegal Online Drug Sellers Are Taking Advantage of
Patients, which explores how bad actors are taking
advantage of glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonist (GLP-1
agonist) medications "going viral." This class of drugs, including
semaglutide, liraglutide, and tirzepatide, is used to treat type 2
diabetes and obesity. Among patients, these drugs are commonly
known for promoting weight loss. Unfortunately, because of the
drugs' popularity, criminals have seized the opportunity to
illegally sell the drugs online, putting patients at risk.
NABP's RogueRx Activity Report explores
illegal activity that has followed the rise of injectable weight
loss drugs.
These GLP-1 agonists are in high demand by patients; however,
they are expensive and often not covered by insurance. In addition,
some dosages of these approved drugs are on Food and Drug
Administration's Drug Shortage List, meaning that the available
supply cannot meet the current demand. As a result, some patients
go online to find these popular medications. Illegal online sellers
are exploiting this demand by offering substandard and falsified
GLP-1 agonists to vulnerable patients. According to the Partnership
for Safe Medicines, substandard and falsified Ozempic®
has been found in at least 16 countries to date. In the report,
NABP highlights the methods illegal actors use to sell substandard
or falsified GLP-1 agonists:
- Criminals sell these drugs online without requiring a valid
prescription and without the required pharmacy licenses.
- Some bad actors trick purchasers by mimicking legal sellers'
websites, branding, or packaging.
- Others employ a non-delivery scheme, meaning patients never
receive the goods they pay for online.
- Sellers may also try to skirt enforcement by advertising drugs
as "peptides" with claims that they are for "research purposes
only" and "not for human consumption."
Government agencies around the world are actively investigating
illegal sellers, and online marketplaces and e-advertising
platforms are working to remove illegal drug sellers from their
platforms. NABP applauds the efforts of these agencies and
organizations.
Patients are encouraged to visit NABP's Safe Pharmacy website
for resources, such as the Safe Site Search Tool, to help protect
them when purchasing medication online. Learn how you can warn
patients against illegal online sellers of GLP-1 agonists by
reading the RogueRx Activity Report.
About NABP
NABP is the independent, international, and impartial
501(c)(3) nonprofit Association that assists its state member
boards and jurisdictions in protecting the public health. NABP was
established in 1904 to assist the state boards of pharmacy in
creating uniform education and licensure standards. Today, we help
support patient and prescription drug safety through examinations
that assess pharmacist competency, pharmacist licensure transfer
and verification services, and various pharmacy accreditation and
inspection programs.
Media Contact: media@nabp.pharmacy
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SOURCE National Association of Boards of Pharmacy