Ozempic underworld: Inside the black market of obesity drugs

A CNBC investigation uncovered a growing black market for popular weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, driven by skyrocketing demand. Criminals are selling counterfeit or illegally diverted versions of these drugs, often originating from countries like China and Turkey. The investigation revealed that some products marketed as Ozempic are either fake or improperly stored, posing serious health risks to consumers.

The issue is exacerbated by counterfeiters who relabel insulin pens as Ozempic or sell fake versions of upcoming drugs like retatrutide, which haven’t even been approved for public use yet. In some cases, these fake drugs are being sold through online platforms and social media, exploiting loopholes and deceiving buyers into purchasing dangerous products. The counterfeit drugs could be contaminated or improperly formulated, leading to severe health risks or even fatalities.

Law enforcement agencies, pharmaceutical companies, and cybersecurity firms are actively fighting the counterfeit trade, but it remains a persistent issue. Authorities in countries like the U.S. and the U.K. are seizing thousands of counterfeit or illegally diverted drugs at international mail facilities. However, the lucrative counterfeit drug market continues to thrive, fueled by advanced packaging technologies that make it difficult to distinguish fake products from legitimate ones.