Illinois Attorney General offers warnings about weight loss drugs

(The Center Square) – As the sale of weight loss drugs skyrocket around the country, Illinois’ attorney general is saying buyer beware.

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.

- Advertisement -

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.

Hot this week

African and Caribbean Nations Call for Reparations for Slave Trade, Propose Global Fund

Nations across Africa and the Caribbean, deeply impacted by...

Sports betting expert offers advice on paying taxes for gambling winnings

(The Center Square) – Tax season is underway, and...

Health care company agrees to pay $22.5 million to settle claims of over billing

A health care company agreed to pay nearly $22.5...

Entertainment district benefits don’t outweigh the cost, economists say

(The Center Square) — Weeks later, after more details...

Business association ‘disappointed’ by WA L&I’s proposed workers comp rate hike

(The Center Square) – The Association of Washington Business...

Report: Texas is building more new homes than any other state

(The Center Square) – Texas is building more new...

Op-Ed: How to get the most Tennessee children access high-quality private education

The Tennessee Legislature finally has acceded to the request...

January sports wagering revenue up 108.7% in North Carolina

(The Center Square) – January yielded the third highest...

Florida legislative leaders, governor reach deal on immigration enforcement

(The Center Square) – Florida legislative leaders and Gov....

Fort Bragg back on world’s largest military installation

(The Center Square) – Posthumously honoring a soldier from...

More like this
Related

Report: Texas is building more new homes than any other state

(The Center Square) – Texas is building more new...

Op-Ed: How to get the most Tennessee children access high-quality private education

The Tennessee Legislature finally has acceded to the request...

January sports wagering revenue up 108.7% in North Carolina

(The Center Square) – January yielded the third highest...