Outgoing FDA chief flags online weight loss drug dangers

By Ahmed Aboulenein

WASHINGTON (Reuters) – Current laws and regulations are not enough to protect Americans from the risks of compounded versions of popular weight loss drugs, especially those bought online, outgoing U.S. Food and Drug Administration Commissioner Robert Califf said on Thursday.

The sale of these drugs would be less of a problem if the price of the original drugs were not so high, Califf told reporters at a media roundtable.

“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,” said Califf, who will leave the agency once incoming President-elect Donald Trump takes office.

“If the price of these drugs was not so high, it wouldn’t be such a problem.”

Novo Nordisk (NYSE:NVO)’s and Eli Lilly (NYSE:LLY)’s weight loss drugs can cost over $1,000 for a month’s supply, while compounded versions typically cost a few hundred dollars.