The Ohio Board of Pharmacy has actively been protecting public safety as it continues to review the operations of weight loss clinics in the state.

January suspensions in Cleveland, Cincinnati, Dayton and Columbus accused clinics of dispensing GLP-1 drugs in ways that were outside properly regulated channels: allegedly, drugs were labeled as “for research purposes only” or obtained from unlicensed sellers.

March brought another suspension against a med spa with locations in Warren County, with allegations of injecting counterfeit botox, unapproved liporase enzyme. This clinic was also accused of improper storage and record keeping and having expired and adulterated drugs.

In April, Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost sent letters to 14 clinics, warning them to stop making false or misleading claims about their versions of popular weight-loss drugs. He clarified that compounded drugs: 

• “Are not FDA-approved, which means the agency hasn’t tested them for safety or effectiveness.
• “Are not the same as Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound or Mounjaro, which are FDA-approved. Compounded versions may not meet the standards that brand names have met.
• “Are not the same as generic drugs. Generic drugs are FDA-approved and, as such, are held to the same standards as brand-name versions. Compounded drugs, made by pharmacies for individual patients, are not subject to the same oversight.”

May brings another suspension in Beavercreek, East of Dayton. Board inspectors named a number of violations, including allegations of an absent medical director, improper record keeping, storing adulterated drugs with those that weren’t, improperly labeled drugs, and compounding without supervision in a non-sterile environment.

Ohioans who believe they have been victims of deceptive advertising are advised to file a complaint with the Consumer Protection Section at www.OhioAttorneyGeneral.gov or by calling 1-800-282-0515.