Lawmakers Urge FDA Crackdown on Counterfeit Weight-Loss Drugs

A bipartisan group of more than 80 U.S. lawmakers has called on the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to intensify enforcement against counterfeit and copycat GLP-1 weight-loss drugs such as Wegovy and Zepbound, citing patient safety concerns. Lawmakers urged the FDA to boost enforcement actions, issue warning letters, and work with U.S. Customs and Border Patrol to stop illegal shipments, especially those from China. The FDA has acknowledged the concerns and committed to strengthening oversight of imported medicines. Meanwhile, reports have surfaced that the FDA is convening 'expert panels' that bypass some standard legal and ethical review procedures, raising questions about transparency in regulatory discussions. In separate biotech news, Celcuity reported success in a Phase 3 cancer drug trial, GSK announced a $500 million investment in a COPD drug from Jiangsu Hengrui Pharmaceuticals, and a new FUS-targeting therapy has shown promise for ALS prevention. These developments underscore broader trends and regulatory challenges in the pharmaceutical industry.