{"id":16147,"date":"2026-09-02T09:08:00","date_gmt":"2026-09-02T14:08:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/?p=16147"},"modified":"2026-09-01T19:14:38","modified_gmt":"2026-09-02T00:14:38","slug":"alarming-illegal-medication-sales-ignites-intensifying-government-action","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/expat-times.com\/panama\/news\/alarming-illegal-medication-sales-ignites-intensifying-government-action\/","title":{"rendered":"Alarming Illegal Medication Sales Ignites Intensifying Government Action"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

A wave of counterfeit weight-loss injectables has pushed Panamanian health authorities to escalate their campaign against illegal medication sales, with regulators flagging at least 17 specific products that have been circulating through informal channels and online marketplaces. The National Directorate of Pharmacy and Drugs issued a formal health alert just days ago, naming medications like Tirzepatide injection 10 mg, Retatrutide 10 mg\/mL solution for injection, and a host of peptide-based treatments including GHK-Cu, BPC-157, and TB-500, all promoted for weight control<\/a> or obesity treatment without proper authorization.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Fake medicines are a danger Photo courtesy by kravaivan11<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Public Health Risks Behind Counterfeit Medicines<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Health Minister Fernando Boyd Galindo<\/a> didn’t mince words when describing what’s at stake for consumers who purchase these products. A falsified medication might fail to deliver the therapeutic effect patients need, allowing an underlying illness to progress unchecked. Worse, Boyd explained, these counterfeit products can contain substances that actively harm the body. The ministry’s national campaign, operating under the slogan “Cuidado! Un medicamento falsificado puede costarte la vida,” which translates to “Careful! A falsified medication can cost you your life,” aims to jolt the public into recognizing these dangers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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“We want to raise awareness among the population to be careful with what they are buying, not to buy it in places that are not appropriate,” Boyd said [Translated from Spanish].<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

The minister stressed that consumers should only purchase medications from establishments authorized and certified by the Ministry of Health. That message carries particular weight given the sophisticated nature of modern pharmaceutical counterfeiting. The products identified in the recent alert include Retatrutide in multiple formulations, LIPO-C plus B12 combination injections, NAD plus solution, and the peptide DSIP, among others. These aren’t obscure compounds; they’re marketed to people actively seeking medical solutions for weight management, a demographic that may be especially vulnerable to online offers promising quick results.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Minister Fernando Boyd Galindo, courtesy APA<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Online Commerce and Unknown Supply Chains<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Uriel P\u00e9rez, director of Pharmacy and Drugs, zeroed in on the digital marketplace as a primary vector for these dangerous products. The surge in e-commerce has made it remarkably easy for sellers to reach consumers directly, bypassing the regulatory safeguards that govern legitimate pharmacies. P\u00e9rez warned that injectable products sold online pose exceptional risks because buyers have no way to verify where these items originated or how they were handled during distribution.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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“There is always a risk of contamination. We don’t know the supply chain of that product,” P\u00e9rez said [Translated from Spanish].<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n\n\n\n

That uncertainty extends far beyond simple quality control. An injectable medication that hasn’t been stored at proper temperatures, manufactured under sterile conditions, or transported safely can introduce bacteria directly into a person’s bloodstream. P\u00e9rez urged consumers to steer clear of products sold on streets, at corners, near bus stops, outside Metro station exits, or in any establishment lacking sanitary authorization. The convenience of buying from an informal vendor simply isn’t worth the potential health consequences.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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online platform<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Interagency Coordination Against Illegal Medication Sales<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

The fight against illegal medication sales in Panama has become a multi-agency operation. The Ministry of Health coordinates with the Public Ministry, the Ministry of Security, and the National Customs Authority to identify and shut down distribution networks. Customs officials reported that they have already detected 10 establishments selling falsified medicines so far this year, a figure that underscores the scope of the problem in a country that serves as a major transit hub for global commerce.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The alert about weight-loss products actually originated from intelligence shared by Colombia’s National Institute of Food and Drug Surveillance, known as Invima. That cross-border information flow reflects a growing recognition among Latin American regulators that pharmaceutical crime doesn’t respect national boundaries. When one country identifies a counterfeit product, neighboring nations need to respond quickly before those same products cross their borders.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The National Directorate of Pharmacy<\/a> and Drugs continues to monitor the situation and coordinate with these partner agencies. Their shared objective is straightforward: reduce the circulation of falsified or illegally commercialized pharmaceutical products before they can cause harm. The 10 establishments already identified by customs represent enforcement wins, but they also hint at a larger underground market that remains active.<\/p>\n\n\n\n