A woman from Long Island, New York, has been arrested after allegedly selling counterfeit Ozempic on TikTok, which resulted in a buyer developing lesions.
Sharon Osbourne Opens Up About Her Weight Loss Journey with Ozempic: “I’m Now Under 100 Pounds and Feeling Gaunt”
In a recent interview, Sharon Osbourne candidly discussed her experience with using Ozempic and how it has contributed to her significant weight loss. The television personality revealed that she is now under 100 pounds but expressed concern about feeling too gaunt as a result.
Osbourne’s openness about her weight loss journey sheds light on the potential side effects of using Ozempic, a prescription medication commonly used to treat type 2 diabetes. While the drug can be effective in helping individuals shed excess weight, it is important to closely monitor its impact on overall health and well-being.
As with any medication, it is crucial to consult with a healthcare professional before starting a new treatment regimen. They can provide guidance on the appropriate dosage and monitor any potential side effects. It is also essential to maintain a balanced diet and engage in regular exercise to support overall health and weight management.
Osbourne’s honesty about her struggles and successes serves as a reminder that weight loss journeys are unique to each individual. It is important to prioritize overall well-being and listen to one’s body throughout the process. By doing so, individuals can achieve their weight loss goals in a healthy and sustainable manner.
A recent press release from the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of New York, reveals that a woman named Isis Navarro Reyes is facing multiple charges. These include receiving misbranded drugs in interstate commerce and then delivering them, dispensing prescription drugs without a prescription, conspiring to introduce and deliver misbranded drugs in interstate commerce, and smuggling. If convicted on all six counts, Reyes could potentially be sentenced to up to 25 years in prison.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of New York, the woman was involved in the marketing, advertising, and sale of various misbranded weight loss drugs that require a prescription. These drugs included fake versions of Ozempic, Mesofrance, and Axcion. She targeted her social media followers, particularly on TikTok, from November 2022 to January 2024.
According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of New York, none of the drugs sold by the woman on TikTok were approved for sale or dispensing in the United States.
Diabetes Drug Danger: Counterfeit Ozempic Puts Health At Risk
According to reports, Reyes allegedly started selling weight loss drugs on her TikTok page in late November 2022. In her videos, she would describe her personal experiences with these medications, providing detailed information about their side effects and effectiveness in promoting weight loss.
Not only did she disclose the weight loss drugs she was purportedly using, but she also provided guidance to her followers on the recommended frequency and methods of administration, whether through ingestion or injection. In fact, she went a step further by offering instructions on how to reach her via an encrypted messaging app.
In February 2023, a buyer, known as Victim-1, acquired 30 doses of Mesofrance from the woman on TikTok, as stated by the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Southern District of New York. Surprisingly, she sent the drugs to Victim-1’s residence without requesting a prescription beforehand.
According to the complaint, the woman is said to have sent audio messages to the buyer, providing instructions on how to use the drug and advising her to inject herself every three days. It was also noted that the vials of the weight loss drug were covered in labels that were not in English.
A lawsuit has been filed against Novo Nordisk related to the side effects of Ozempic.
In July 2023, Victim-1 started experiencing skin lesions after using the counterfeit Ozempic. She then shared photos of her injuries with the woman on TikTok. The Attorney’s Office revealed that the buyer was subsequently diagnosed with a mycobacterium abscessus infection, a condition often caused by the contamination of medications, medical products, and medical devices with the mycobacterium abscessus bacterium.
The vials of Mesofrance purchased from Reyes were tested by the New York Department of Health, and they tested positive for mycobacterium abscessus. In December 2023, a sting operation was organized to catch Reyes in the act. A police officer, acting as a potential client, contacted her through an encrypted app. After exchanging several messages about Ozempic, the officer, posing as a buyer, was instructed to send $375 for the drug, once again without a prescription.
Reyes shipped the package, which included the drug with a Spanish label. Authorities intercepted this package, along with other packages containing counterfeit Axcion and Ozempic that were being sent to Reyes from Mexico and El Salvador. It has not been confirmed yet if the Ozempic was indeed counterfeit.
The Attorney’s Office stated that Reyes was interviewed by the police on February 15, 2024, following her arrest. During the interview, she reportedly confessed to engaging in the sale of counterfeit products on TikTok for a duration of one year. Additionally, she admitted to selling Ozempic on five occasions, which resulted in a buyer developing lesions. Reyes also acknowledged providing funds to an individual who sold her Ozempic from El Salvador. Furthermore, she confessed to purchasing Mesofrance through Facebook but ceased sales after realizing its illegality. Reyes was well aware that selling drugs without a prescription and medical license was against the law.
Dozens of lawsuits have been filed against Ozempic and other weight-loss drugs, with individuals claiming severe side effects.
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A New York woman who allegedly sold counterfeit Ozempic on TikTok has been arrested after a buyer experienced severe skin lesions. The incident highlights the dangers of purchasing medications from unverified sources on social media platforms. The woman’s arrest serves as a reminder to be cautious and only purchase medications from reputable sources.
