France has launched a fake GLP-1 drugs crackdown after discovering a wave of counterfeit weight-loss and diabetes medications sold online.
Health authorities say illicit sites, social media influencers, and sham prescriptions are driving dangerous circulation. The move responds to growing concern over patient safety and pharmaceutical integrity.
Moreover, regulators traced the trend to unauthorized websites that mimic legitimate drug outlets and misuse official logos.
Many of these counterfeit drugs claim to be GLP-1 analogues like semaglutide, liraglutide, and tirzepatide. The European Medicines Agency earlier warned that these pills may not meet quality, safety, or efficacy standards.
Furthermore, France’s National Agency for the Safety of Medicines (ANSM) reported a surge in digital offers since June 2025, after policy changes allowed broader prescriptions of antiobesity drugs.
It filed about 20 formal reports via Pharos, the country’s illegal content alert system. The agency also seized novel items such as skin patches with microneedles marketed as GLP-1 alternatives, which investigators say are fraudulent and unsafe.
In addition, patient advocacy groups expressed alarm over how easy it has become to access these fakes. The French Federation of Diabetics warned that consumers can’t reliably identify what they’re buying. They collaborate with regulators to trace websites but say every shutdown prompts new sites to emerge.
Meanwhile, pharmaceutical companies have joined the fight. One global manufacturer said it follows a “Prevent, Detect, Respond” model. It encourages patients to report suspicious products with lot numbers and photos so regulators can trace counterfeits and patterns of fraud.
Moreover, professional bodies for doctors and pharmacists have weighed in. They urge medical influencers to avoid promoting such products online. Regulatory codes now demand that physicians presenting medical treatments must avoid indirect advertising or misleading content. Violators might face disciplinary proceedings or content removal requirements.
Furthermore, authorities uncovered instances where physicians in teleconsultations issued prescriptions without proper oversight or guideline compliance. Some used deceptive practices to write prescriptions for GLP-1 drugs beyond approved use. Medical regulators affirmed that such acts are criminal offenses and may incur suspension or criminal penalties.
Lastly, the fake GLP-1 drugs crackdown signals a broader urgency in regulating medicine online and protecting public health. Authorities say their response must blend aggressive website takedown, stricter regulation, and public education.
The challenge lies in staying ahead of counterfeiters who adapt quickly and operate across borders. The coming months will reveal how effective France’s crackdown will be in stemming the flow of counterfeit GLP-1 drugs
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