FDA cracking down on off-brand weight loss drugs

(CNN, KYMA/KECY) - The crackdown on off-brand weight loss drugs and diabetes treatments are about to take effect, meaning supplies or treatments are likely to tighten up as well.

A federal deadline to halt the sales of GLP-1 medications arrives this week. The off-brand products are made by compounding pharmacies that contain the same active ingredients as Ozempic, Wegovy, and others.

The difference is that they don't have the stamp of approval from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

Many consumers have started buying these off brands which are less expensive when increased demand of the FDA sanctioned items led to major shortages.

However, FDA officials have declared that the shortages were replenished, meaning the flexibilities were given to manufacturers of the compounded drugs were set to end.