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Sales of weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy have soared,
with over 1.6 million prescriptions issued in Illinois last
year, nearly a 14% increase from the year before. The most
prescriptions went to adults ages 55 to 65 (29%), followed by
seniors 65 and older (26%).
Illinois Attorney General Kwame Raoul is warning consumers about
misleading advertising by medical spas, wellness centers, online
retailers and social media sellers that state or imply they are
offering name brand GLP-1 medications or generic versions of
name brand medications, when in reality they are offering
compounded drugs.
“Compounded drugs are not the same as generic drugs,” said Raoul.
“They are not approved by the Food and Drug Administration as
they are often produced on site.”
He added that the FDA does not review compounded drugs for
safety, quality or effectiveness, however, and these drugs may
pose health risks.
Raoul’s office recently issued cease and desist letters calling
on five med spas to stop using language that misleads consumers
about the products they are purchasing. He encourages Illinois
residents to report deceptive marketing or the sale of unsafe
weight loss products on the attorney general’s website.
The FDA has issued warnings to try to stop the distribution of
illegal versions of GLP-1 products. Some GLP-1 medications are
being sold directly to consumers without prescriptions or are
research-only products that should never be used by humans.
Raoul is urging consumers considering taking a GLP-1 medication
for weight loss to first consult a trusted physician and fill
any prescriptions at state-licensed pharmacies and avoid
obtaining or filling prescriptions from unknown sources. |
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