Is a bootleg weight-loss drug to blame for 2 reported deaths?

The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has received reports linking two deaths to bootleg versions of an experimental weight-loss drug called retatrutide, which is still under development by Eli Lilly and not yet approved by the FDA. Despite federal laws prohibiting the sale of unapproved drugs, imitation versions of retatrutide are being sold online. The first reported death involved a 41-year-old woman who suffered cardiac arrest after obtaining the drug from an unreliable source. The second case involved a 49-year-old patient who died after being persuaded by a nurse to purchase the drug online, leading to severe health complications. These incidents highlight the dangers of the illicit market for unapproved drugs. Experts, like Harvard Medical School’s Pieter Cohen, emphasize the need for the FDA to investigate these cases thoroughly. The FDA’s Adverse Event Reporting System, which monitors drug safety, received these reports, but the agency has not confirmed the details. The situation underscores concerns about the breakdown of the drug approval process and the risks posed by unauthorized drug sales. QUESTION: What should be done to prevent the sale of unapproved drugs online, and how might this impact public health?