Counterfeit Medicine Sales on the Rise
Counterfeit medicine sales are on the rise in Alabama and nationwide. The state faced trouble with growing sales of counterfeit Xanax pills laced with fentanyl in 2021. Now, online scammers are counterfeiting the weight-loss drug Ozempic, including insulin pens with an Ozempic label.
FDA Actions and Public Awareness
The Food and Drug Administration seized thousands of units of fake Ozempic in late 2023, but research shows numerous lifestyle drugs are being counterfeited daily.
The Role of Telehealth
Shabbir Imber Safdar, executive director of the Partnership for Safe Medicine, stated that telehealth can push people to take medications they would not normally qualify for. “To do something significant — like to go on an injectable drug for a long period of time, that is going to have serious consequences for your health and nutrition, and your weight — you really need to see a real doctor, not a computer doctor, not a doctor in a chat room,” Safdar argued.
Red Flags and Legal Issues
Some pharmacies and clinics face lawsuits for selling knockoff drugs through telemedicine. A major red flag is when an online ad promises expedited access to a certain drug without a prescription.
Social Media’s Impact
Social media sites like TikTok, Facebook, and Etsy have expanded a person’s ability to get counterfeit drugs. Though federal agencies and lawmakers have issued warnings, Safdar pointed out the biggest challenge to maintaining public safety is the public.
Proposed Regulations
There is a proposal in Congress to implement stricter regulations on the sale of drugs through social media platforms. The bill would require social media sites to monitor and report illegal drug sales to law enforcement.
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