The growing global demand for weight loss medications based on GLP-1 receptor agonists, drugs that regulate appetite and glucose, has driven an increase in counterfeit versions circulating in nearly 60 countries, including Mexico, warn specialists and international organizations. Recent studies and World Health Organization reports document the expansion of these irregular products, a trend that, according to experts, could intensify with the expiration of patents and the entry of generic versions into markets like Mexico, Turkey, Brazil, and India, which has launched generic weight-loss drugs at reduced prices. “Access will expand rapidly, but it will also imply an unprecedented surge in counterfeit products,” warned Hagen Weiss, director of the verification firm CellX, in an interview with EFE, who warned that “in a few weeks, almost 40% of the world's population will have access to legitimate generic versions.” In addition to the risks of fraud, the Federal Commission for the Protection against Sanitary Risks (Cofepris) has warned about the dangers of self-medicating with GLP-1 agonists without medical supervision. The health authority has emphasized that uncontrolled use of semaglutide and liraglutide — active ingredients in these drugs — can cause nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, kidney damage, dizziness, or tachycardia, among other adverse effects. Furthermore, it has pointed out that some international reports mention possible associations with depression and suicidal ideation, although so far there is no conclusive evidence of causality. This is why Cofepris has emphasized that these medications must be prescribed and monitored by a specialized physician and that their promotion on social media or unofficial channels increases health risks. High demand and high prices have favored the emergence of illegal markets offering cheaper versions, with prices ranging from 200 to 500 pesos (11 to 28 dollars), compared to 3,000 to 4,000 pesos (169-225 dollars) for the originals, especially on the internet, in gyms, or in tourist areas. In fact, some fraudulent batches have been found with undeclared insulin or bacterial contaminants, which could cause severe hypoglycemia, serious infections, or sepsis. Weiss noted that with the expansion of legitimate generics, there will be a boom in counterfeits, further complicating for the consumer to distinguish between authentic and dangerous products. Finally, he warned that several Indian companies are already preparing to enter the Mexican market with generic GLP-1 conversions at prices as low as 15 dollars a month, which will make it even harder to differentiate authentic from counterfeit products. “It will be a huge challenge for the Mexican consumer.”
