The National Consumers League (NCL) launched “The Weight Truth” campaign Monday to fight consumer misinformation about GLP-1 medications and illicit mass compounding.
The initiative includes results from a national survey examining consumer understanding of pharmaceutical compounding and a white paper recommending policy changes in nine key areas. Both documents are available at www.weight-truth.org.
At a National Press Club event, speakers included NCL Executive Director Sally Greenberg, NCL Food and Nutrition Policy Director Nancy Glick, South Carolina Attorney General Alan Wilson, Knownwell CEO Dr. Angela Fitch, University of Utah College of Pharmacy Vice Chair of Research Dr. Joey Mattingly and Alliance for a Stronger FDA Executive Director Steven Grossman.
The speakers emphasized dangers posed by false online information, misleading promotional tactics and bad actors smuggling counterfeit ingredients into the United States. They called for stronger policy enforcement and new regulations to combat illegal importation of fake drugs.
The NCL revealed polling of 1,500 women aged 18-55 showing widespread misconceptions about weight loss treatments. Among women with obesity, 85% believed false claims in online advertisements, while 55% thought “doctor approved” meant endorsement by medical professionals. Additionally, 71% incorrectly believed compounded GLP-1 medications are only marketed after safety testing, with over half assuming this meant FDA approval.
The organization plans to continue alerting consumers about these issues while urging policymakers to take action protecting consumer safety against counterfeit weight management therapies.
