They deserve sips of justice.
New Yorkers are shamelessly reselling diabetes and weight loss drugs online through Facebook Marketplace — despite the threat of up to 15 years in prison for doing so.
The Post, using a basic one-word search of drug names, found several recent local Facebook listings for the GLP-1 semaglutide Ozempic, as well as the twin tirazeptides Monjaro and Zepbound.
“Mounjaro wanted 4=$,” Posted by a person in lower ManhattanAnother user in the area is purchasing four, 5-milligram Monjaro pens for $700 with a photo of the box — which was recently reduced from $750. on social media sites,
“A month’s supply” of 2 mg Ozempic, just across the Hudson River in Union County Reportedly available for $450,
Those looking for discounted dulaglutide—known as Trulicity, which is also prescribed to treat type 2 diabetes—are invited here. Call a number in Upper Manhattan “For cash” negotiations.
The post has reached out to Meta for comment.
In New York, criminal misuse – or illegal resale – of prescription drugs can result in a prison sentence of up to 15 years and a hefty fine.
Buyers risk being charged with a misdemeanor, but could also face jail time and fines.
One expert told The Post that part of the incentive for black market customers — despite the obvious health risks and legal implications — is related to the drugs’ low sticker price.
“A one-month supply of Monjaro can cost between $1,000 and $1,200,” said Dr. Gregory Dowdell of Central Park Endocrinology.
Dowdell cited previous schemes in which hairdressers sold drug samples from the back door of their business.
Frustration is another important factor.
demand for medicines skyrocketed in 2024Thanks to their rapid weight loss side effects – leading to well-documented weight loss.
The National Association of Boards of Pharmacy stated, “When there are drug shortages, desperate patients are more likely to seek medications online.” warned in may Of both social media and online pharmacies.
“In addition, injectable weight loss drugs are often not covered by insurance, making some patients more likely to pay out of pocket… They are often exposed to the risks of taking drugs that are sold illegally. Don’t fully understand.”
weighing bad options
In addition to more direct listings, there are more subversive ways of advertising, the Pharmaceutical Board warned, adding that “bad actors” have taken over the greedy market.
“Although social platforms regularly remove illegal content, sellers use a number of tactics, such as misspellings and aliases, to avoid detection by the platforms’ automated compliance tools.”
Dr. Dowdell warns don’t be fooled by associating with a little-known site like Facebook Marketplace.
“It’s basically the same as shopping on the street.”
This is not the first time that Facebook has had such a bad association with drug trafficking.
At the beginning of the year, The federal government began investigating its parent company Meta. for the possible sale of various drugs by users on both Facebook and Instagram.
The subpoenas were issued over “infringing drug content on Meta’s platforms and/or the illegal sale of drugs through Meta’s platforms,” prosecutors said at the time.
But when it comes to desperate and illegal measures to obtain drugs, the rewards may not outweigh the risks.
I am missing the point
Don’t worry that you’re breaking the law – according to Dr. Dowdell, purchasing from a dubious resale without knowing exactly what you’re getting is a huge medical faux pas.
“It’s not something you are Just take a few weeks to lose weight And then stop it – for a variety of reasons,” he said.
“Once people get off the drug, they tend to get back two-thirds Of weight, if not more,” he said.
Dodell warned that patients also need to be monitored while taking the medications.
According to endocrinologists, people who shop online miss out on important monitoring by a physician who could recognize some of the negative side effects associated with these drugs, such as osteoporosis, gallstones and muscle loss.
In the short term, problems such as nausea and potentially life-threatening dehydration may also occur.
Another big concern is losing control over what you’re actually putting into your body. Even if it is real medicine, the dosage may be very high.
“God knows what quantity they are actually selling. and who knows? You’re just taking it.
(TagstoTranslate)Lifestyle(T)Health(T)Metro(T)Medications(T)Exclusive(T)Ozempic(T)Prescription Medicines(T)Weight Loss
