A CNBC investigation into counterfeit weight-loss drugs revealed an international illegal marketplace where criminals either alter the drugs or ship the real product from overseas.
A CNBC investigation has uncovered a hidden black market for weight-loss drugs, particularly Ozempic, Wegovy, and other GLP-1 medications, exposing a vast international illegal trade. These drugs, primarily used for managing diabetes but increasingly popular for weight loss, have led to an illicit marketplace where criminals either tamper with the drugs or divert legitimate products from overseas. These operations, involving illegal versions of Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic and Wegovy, as well as Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro and Zepbound, have sprung up due to the soaring demand for weight-loss treatments.
One example highlighted by CNBC involved purchasing a drug marketed as Ozempic from a company called Laver Beauty, which claimed to be located in a quiet suburban neighborhood in Boulder, Colorado. The drug, which cost $219 for a month’s supply, is significantly cheaper than the standard U.S. price of $968. Despite the company’s claim of being located on a residential street, further investigation revealed that the drug was shipped from China. The packaging, though it looked authentic with the Novo Nordisk logo, had Chinese writing and lacked the necessary refrigeration for transport, raising concerns about its safety and authenticity.
The shipment was sent from an office building in Shijiazhuang, China, and was delivered to CNBC’s headquarters in New Jersey in a plain box with no refrigeration other than two melted ice packs, despite Ozempic needing to be kept cold. According to Novo Nordisk, the product was likely “diverted legitimate product,” originally produced for the Chinese market, making it unauthorized for use in the U.S. Furthermore, Novo Nordisk warned that the drug’s sterility could not be confirmed, posing an increased risk of infection for those who unknowingly use it.
Law enforcement sources confirmed to CNBC that this shipment is part of a larger federal investigation into the ongoing trafficking of diverted Ozempic products into the U.S. The investigation highlights the growing concerns surrounding the regulation and safety of these drugs, as criminals exploit the surge in demand for weight-loss solutions.