Tennessee Attorney General Jonathan Skrmetti is taking a stand against the growing threat of counterfeit weight-loss and diabetes drugs, leading a bipartisan coalition urging the FDA to take swift action against those distributing these unsafe products.
The drugs in question belong to the GLP-1 class, commonly used for weight loss and diabetes treatment. However, counterfeit versions—often sourced from countries like China and Turkey—are flooding the market, posing serious health risks.
Dr. Jamie Ponce, a bariatric surgeon at the Weight Loss Center of Chattanooga, warned that these fake drugs, while cheaper, can have dangerous consequences. “People come in telling us, ‘I tried them and didn’t lose weight,’ or ‘I started experiencing severe symptoms,’” he said.
The issue isn’t just theoretical. In December, a Tennessee woman was charged with illegally selling fake weight-loss drugs labeled “not for human consumption” and “for research purposes only.”
Attorney General Skrmetti says it’s time to crack down on both the sellers of these dangerous substances and those cutting corners in their production.
“You have overseas manufacturers producing adulterated materials without the necessary quality or safety controls,” Skrmetti stated. “This is a serious risk to public health.”
Dr. Ponce also noted that some patients fail to see results because they don’t adjust their diets alongside taking the medication. “You need a dietitian to teach patients how to eat properly,” he explained. “And a medical team, like myself and a nurse practitioner, to ensure the medications are used correctly.”
With public safety on the line, Skrmetti’s leadership signals a much-needed effort to protect Americans from dangerous, unregulated drugs flooding the market.
