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In an ordinary suburban neighborhood near the majestic Rocky Mountains lies a modest light gray home, where a CNBC investigation uncovered a black market for counterfeit weight loss drugs. Criminals are engaging in drug diversion schemes involving Novo Nordisk’s diabetes drug Ozempic, obesity drug Wegovy, as well as Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro and Zepbound, all popular GLP-1 weight loss treatments. The demand for these drugs has led to illegal operations altering or shipping the products from overseas.
CNBC purchased a drug marketed as Ozempic from a company called Laver Beauty, located in a quiet residential street in Boulder. The drug, priced at $219 for a month’s supply, was significantly cheaper than the U.S. list price of $968 for Ozempic. The drug arrived from Shijiazhuang, China, without proper refrigeration, raising concerns about its authenticity and sterility.
Law enforcement sources revealed that the Ozempic from China is part of a larger federal investigation into illegal shipments of the drug to the U.S. Laver Beauty claimed the product was genuine and intended for the Chinese market, distancing themselves from the unauthorized diversion to the U.S. market.
Counterfeit weight loss drugs pose serious health risks, as seen in the UK where authorities seized hundreds of counterfeit Ozempic pens. Companies like Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly are actively combatting counterfeit products, emphasizing the importance of patient safety and the rigorous testing processes genuine medications go through.
Seizures of counterfeit and diverted weight loss drugs are common at international mail facilities like JFK Airport, with hundreds of incidents reported. The U.S. Customs and Border Protection is doubling its efforts to intercept these illegal shipments, with a focus on preventing dangerous products from reaching consumers.
To address the issue of counterfeit drugs online, the pharmaceutical industry has partnered with cybersecurity companies like BrandShield to identify and shut down websites selling fake products. The rise of counterfeit medications, particularly in countries like Turkey, has prompted international crackdowns and increased efforts to combat pharmaceutical crime.
The FDA has issued alerts about counterfeit Ozempic in the U.S., emphasizing the risks associated with consuming unauthorized versions of these drugs. Patient safety is a top priority for pharmaceutical companies, and efforts to ensure the authenticity and integrity of medications are ongoing to protect consumers from the dangers of counterfeit products.
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Emily Jensen, graduated from the London School of Economics and Political Science (LSE) in the UK in 2015 with a degree in Economics. She specializes in financial markets and international trade. After graduating, she worked as an analyst at an investment bank in London, where she developed expertise in global economic trends. She later transitioned into consulting, focusing on fintech ventures and providing insights into global economic developments. Emily is passionate about the intersection of finance and technology and aims to drive innovation in the financial sector.