Criminals sell drugs contaminated with all kinds of things from caustic soda to fentanyl, from baking powder to cornflour, from icing sugar to washing powder. And it's not only illegal narcotics that are contaminated in this way; it's counterfeits of legitimate drugs, and drugs sold as generic versions of branded product. Amongst the most popular drugs to be adulterated are those sold for weight loss or muscle building. This is a global problem and the FBI's warning applies to everyone who buys pharmaceuticals and supplements. And it's big business conducted in apparently legitimate clinics and pharmacies.

The FBI issued the following notice on 28th February, 2025 

Safety concerns related to fraudulent compounding practices associated with weight loss drugs

The Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) warns the public of non-compliant healthcare providers, to include pharmacies, weight loss clinics and medical spas, engaging in fraudulent compounding practices by unlawfully misrepresenting compounded weight loss drugs. 

These misrepresented drugs can pose safety risks and significant health consequences to patients, such as gastrointestinal disorders, nervous system disorders, cardiac disorders, psychiatric disorders, and death.

Non-compliant healthcare providers are selling fraudulently compounded drugs claiming to contain semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy, in combination with other ingredients. Some healthcare providers are using compounded mixtures of unknown drugs that do not contain semaglutide, drugs with high levels of impurities, and unsafe or unapproved drugs.

• Healthcare professionals at medical spas, pharmacies and weight loss centres in multiple states sold fraudulently compounded semaglutide drugs. Testing of the compounded drugs revealed some of the misrepresented compounds did not contain semaglutide and had large percentages of unknown drug impurities.
• A southern-based medical spa and weight loss clinic offered and sold their own weight loss medication, which was compounded in Georgia. The compounded mixture had an "animal grade" semaglutide with vitamin B12, which is not compliant with FDA regulations.
• A Southeastern state issued an Order of Summary Suspension¹ to an identified pharmacy due to alleged patient safety concerns. The pharmacy filled more than 1,000 prescriptions daily and employed many pharmacists and technicians with little to no pharmacy work experience. In the first seven months of 2023, the pharmacy generated millions of dollars by selling fraudulently compounded and generic versions of high dosages of semaglutide combined with vitamin B6 to healthcare providers.

Tips to Protect Yourself

• Avoid suspiciously low prices of weight loss drugs sold by unlicensed healthcare providers.
• Be cautious when purchasing any pharmaceutical drugs online and buy only from licensed pharmacies.
• Consult with your medical provider before using any pharmaceutical weight loss drugs.