French authorities are warning consumers about a growing public health threat: the online sale of counterfeit obesity medications. The drugs,often falsely marketed as alternatives to prescription options like Ozempic and Wegovy,pose serious risks due to unverified ingredients and potential fraud. The French National Agency for the Safety of Medicines (ANSM) is actively working to shut down websites offering these products,highlighting an international challenge as manny originate from outside the country.
French health authorities are warning consumers about the online sale of counterfeit obesity medications with uncertain compositions, posing a serious health risk and potential for fraud. The agency is demanding the immediate removal of these products from online marketplaces, even as some foreign-based websites continue to offer them.
:quality(50)/2024/03/04/anne-laure-dagnet-65e6018aa817f670261512.png)
Published
Updated
Reading time: 2 min
:quality(50)/2025/11/19/obesite-691d6d594c587611349520.jpg)
The French National Agency for the Safety of Medicines (ANSM) has issued a warning about the online sale of counterfeit weight loss medications. These products, often marketed as alternatives to prescription drugs like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro, have unverified ingredients and pose significant health risks. The availability of these medications online is a growing concern, as they are typically only available with a prescription for individuals with severe obesity or diabetes.
According to Alexandre de la Volpilière, Deputy Director General of the ANSM, using these products can be dangerous. “You are putting your life in danger,” he warned, explaining that the medications may contain impurities or harmful substances. He also cautioned consumers about the risk of fraud, including not receiving the product they ordered or having their financial information stolen.
To combat these illegal sales, the ANSM has alerted public prosecutors and reported the websites to France’s cybercrime unit, Pharos. The agency has requested that the websites immediately remove the products from sale. While several major online retailers, including eBay, Cdiscount, and Amazon, have complied, seven websites based in Hong Kong continue to offer the counterfeit medications. The ANSM is pursuing legal action against these sites for illegal advertising and sales of pharmaceuticals. The agency stated it will continue to take action against any new websites identified as selling these products, and hopes these measures will allow customs officials to seize the illegal products.
OBJECTIVE
Create an article that reads as if it were originally reported and written in English
for a U.S. and global health audience.
