Unsafe Ozempic knock-offs flood the market

Experts estimate hundreds of thousands of Americans are taking medicine that hasn’t been vetted by the FDA for safety and effectiveness

Compounding pharmacies in the US have taken to producing copycats of weightloss drugs after demand of the name-brand versions outstripped supply. 

The first dose of a copycat weight-loss drug Lindsay Posey took from a new pharmacy worked well. The second didn’t quite suppress her appetite. It was the third dose that she thinks caused her trouble.

Acne erupted on her cheeks, nose, chin and forehead. “My skin just went absolutely crazy,” said the 38-year-old who works in online customer service. Acne isn’t listed as a side effect of the FDA-approved formulation.