Health authorities warn of counterfeit weight loss drugs in Panama and Paraguay

Health authorities in Panama and Paraguay are issuing urgent warnings regarding the proliferation of counterfeit and illegal weight loss products.

In Panama, Uriel B. Pérez M., director of Pharmacy and Drugs at the Ministry of Health, cautioned the public against purchasing weight loss medications from informal vendors, metro stations, or social media platforms. He emphasized that these products often lack sanitary registration and may be falsified, urging citizens to consult medical professionals for any weight management treatments.

In Paraguay, Jorge Iliou, head of the National Directorate of Sanitary Surveillance (Dinavisa), reported a high demand for fraudulent slimming drugs. Investigations conducted with the Public Ministry revealed that counterfeiters operate in private homes and clandestine facilities, sometimes filling containers with non-sterile water or diluting components. Iliou noted that some products contain unapproved molecules, potentially of Chinese origin, and are linked to transnational organized crime. Laboratory analyses have also detected contamination in several samples.