The Proliferation of Counterfeit Drugs
The first tip came into West Tennessee law enforcement about two months ago: A resident in the area was selling cheap versions of Ozempic and other weight loss drugs.
According to officials with the West Tennessee Drug Task Force, the tipster believed the products couldn’t be legitimate due to their unusually low prices: A 10-milligram vial of semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, sold for about $100, for example, and a 15 mg vial costs $140. The brand-name versions, from drugmaker Novo Nordisk, sell for around $1,000 for a month’s supply.
The Raid and Arrest
Last week, officials said they raided Emily Arnold’s home in Medina, Tennessee, and found more than 300 vials of counterfeit versions of semaglutide, tirzepatide — the ingredient in the weight loss drug Zepbound and the diabetes drug Mounjaro — along with other drugs used for weight loss. Syringes, alcohol preps, mailers and other materials were also confiscated.
Officials learned that she allegedly had also been supplying the drugs to two med spa clinics in the state. Some people who used the counterfeit drugs reported rashes and other pain from the injections, officials said.
The Investigation
“We stumbled into one room that was set up, sort of like a lab,” said Johnie Carter, the director of the West Tennessee Drug Task Force. “We even found three packages that were already packaged up and ready to go.”
“It was very shocking,” he added.
The Charges
Officials said Arnold, 41, has been charged with four felonies and a misdemeanor, including impersonating a licensed professional. She will plead not guilty, her attorney said.
The Risks of Counterfeit Drugs
Using a counterfeit medication can lead to dangerous complications, said Dr. Daniela Hurtado Andrade, an endocrinologist at the Mayo Clinic in Jacksonville, Florida.
“You never know what they are mixing them with,” said Andrade, who spoke generally about the dangers of counterfeit drugs. “There is the potential risk that they are mixed with electrolytes, which for example, can put a person at risk of having cardiac arrhythmias.”
Who is Most at Risk of Counterfeit Drugs?
Anyone who buys a GLP-1 drug without a prescription could be at risk of getting a counterfeit version.
The most vulnerable are people without adequate health care coverage or without prescription drug benefits, or who feel stigmatized by their weight and don’t want to see a doctor, Timothy Mackey, a professor of global health at the University of California, San Diego, said.
Conclusion
The proliferation of counterfeit drugs is a serious issue that can have dangerous consequences for those who use them. It is essential to be aware of the risks and to only use brand-name products that have been prescribed by a doctor.
FAQs
Q: What is the difference between counterfeit and compounded weight loss drugs?
A: Counterfeit drugs are illegal and manufactured to look like legitimate brand-name medications, but often contain little to none of the actual drug. Compounded medications are legitimate and made by a licensed pharmacist, but may not be as effective as brand-name drugs.
Q: How can I protect myself from counterfeit drugs?
A: Always get the brand-name product through a prescription from a doctor. Be wary of prices that are significantly lower than the brand-name version, and do not buy drugs from unlicensed sources.
Q: What are the risks of using counterfeit drugs?
A: Using counterfeit drugs can lead to dangerous complications, including infections, cardiac arrhythmias, and other serious health problems.
