FDA considering tighter controls on GLP-1 weight loss drugs amid illegal imports

The Food and Drug Administration （FDA） yesterday said it is considering tighter border controls on GLP-1 weight loss drugs amid illegal imports from China and online platforms.

GLP-1 drugs, commonly known as “weight loss injections,” have fueled a surge in demand for weight loss treatments in the past few years alongside a rise in overseas purchasing, online sales and illegal imports.

Democratic Progressive Party Legislator Lin Shu-fen （林淑芬） on Thursday said that searching for “weight loss injections” on platforms such as Facebook and Threads returns a large number of listings, some of which promote products sourced from China.

The injections are not suitable for everyone and might cause side effects including gastrointestinal discomfort, she said.

Products bought through illegal channels cannot be verified for authenticity and offer no consumer protection, she added, urging the Ministry of Health and Welfare to strengthen oversight.

FDA Deputy Director-General Wang Der-yuan （王德原） said yesterday that illegal sources of “weight loss injections” come through two main channels: travelers bringing the drugs into Taiwan themselves, and purchases made through online mail-order services.

Some products that enter the country are later resold on online platforms, further fueling illegal sales.

On the issue of online sales, Wang said the FDA has proposed amendments to the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act （藥事法） to hold online platforms more accountable.

Under the proposed changes, platforms found to be hosting illegal drug sales would be required to remove the listings within a specified timeframe and provide seller information to authorities for investigation, he said.

The FDA has also established cooperation mechanisms with the Ministry of Digital Affairs and platforms such as Line, allowing authorities to launch takedown procedures once illegal content is confirmed, he said.

Regarding travelers bringing weight loss injections into Taiwan, Wang said regulations require anyone carrying injectable medications into the country to have a prescription or documentation. The amount carried must be limited to a reasonable personal supply which does not exceed six months.

Wang acknowledged that authorities have no way of tracking what travelers bring into the country if the items are not inspected.

The FDA is working with the Customs Administration to assess whether GLP-1 drugs should be added to arrival declaration requirements or made subject to mandatory declaration, he said, adding that if implemented, travelers who fail to declare such products could face penalties.

The FDA also warned the public against selling personal prescription medicines online, he said.

Under the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act, people who sell pharmaceuticals without a license face fines ranging from NT$30,000 to NT$2 million （US$950 to US$63,315）.

If the offence involves unapproved imported drugs, penalties can include up to seven years in prison and fines of up to NT$50 million.

The FDA urged people seeking weight-loss treatment to go through proper medical channels by consulting a doctor and using prescription drugs only under medical supervision, warning that purchasing products from unknown sources poses safety risks.