(WJAR) \u2014 We all love a deal.<\/p>\n
But when it comes to prescription drugs, a discount could be deadly!<\/p>\n
\u201cThe odds are you’re not just going to get ripped off – you’re going to put your life and your health at risk,\u201d said Frank Cullen, executive director of the Council for Innovation Promotion<\/a>.<\/p>\n The Council for Innovation Promotion tracks counterfeits in a lot of industries, but when it comes to consumer safety, Cullen says counterfeit online pharmacies are one of the most dangerous.<\/p>\n \u201cWe know of reports where there have been deaths,\u201d warned Cullen.<\/p>\n Popular drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy are in high demand and costly– with many patients paying at least $1,000 a month.<\/p>\n An online pharmacy offering these drugs at half price may seem like the perfect solution.<\/p>\n Cullen said there are more than 35,000 active, online pharmacies.<\/p>\n However, he said the vast majority are operating illegally.<\/p>\n \u201cNinety-five percent are not in compliance with any kind of applicable laws or regulations or pharmacy safety standards – so it’s a real problem,\u201d said Cullen.<\/p>\n Another problem?<\/p>\n These unregulated online pharmacies are very easy to find.<\/p>\n NBC 10 typed a few words like “Ozempic cheap” and “GLP-1 without a prescription” into Google, and within a few minutes, we found those cheaper alternatives on unregulated websites.<\/p>\n But what’s really in them?<\/p>\n \u201cThe real problem is the unsafe conditions that very often these are manufactured in,\u201d said Cullen.<\/p>\n He continued, \u201cThey’re made sometimes with everything from paint thinner to different types of components that are literally deadly – even sometimes fentanyl will find itself into some types of these drugs.\u201d<\/p>\n It’s also important to note that shopping on one of these counterfeit sites could put your money or personal information at risk, as well.<\/p>\n If you\u2019re unsure if an online pharmacy is legit, you can look it up at the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy’s website<\/a>.<\/p>\n