Online weight loss drug dangers flagged by Outgoing USFDA chief
Wahington: Outgoing U.S. Food and Drug Administration (USFDA) Commissioner Robert Califf stated on Thursday that existing laws and regulations are not enough to protect Americans from the dangers posed by compounded versions of popular weight loss drugs, particularly those purchased online.
Califf emphasized that the issue would be less severe if the original drugs were more affordable, as he noted during a media roundtable with reporters.
According to Reuters, Califf said, “I’m very worried about the internet compounding industry. Some of it, I’m sure, is very high quality, but it’s very hard, if you are ordering things on the internet, to know exactly what you’re getting,”
“If the price of these drugs was not so high, it wouldn’t be such a problem.”
Novo Nordisk’ and Eli Lilly’s weight loss drugs can cost over $1,000 for a month’s supply, while compounded versions typically cost a few hundred dollars.
The FDA needs more support, Califf said. His comments contrast with those of Trump’s nominee for health secretary, Robert F. Kennedy Jr., who has said the agency’s department in charge of nutrition labels on food has “to go” because it was not protecting Americans.
“Look at food side; it’s massively underfunded and if you’re also saying you want to radically change the food system, that will be a problem,” Califf said.
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