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The demand for GLP-1 agonists—a class of “miracle” weight loss drugs—has surged by over 700% in recent years. However, a recent investigation by Healthnews reveals that these high-demand medications are increasingly available on dark web marketplaces.
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GLP-1s like semaglutide (e.g., Ozempic/Wegovy) are accessible on the dark web at $90 per month, considerably lower than from legitimate sources.
The darknet marketplace analysis identified 23 GLP-1 products across three major dark web markets, predominantly dispatched from Europe (10 products), the U.S. (7 products), and India (5 products). Semaglutide was the most sought-after, accounting for 63% of orders (1,033 out of 1,643).
Price comparison
- Semaglutide (e.g., Wegovy/Ozempic):
- Legal Cost: Approximately $969 to $1,349 per month without insurance.
- Dark Web Cost: From $90 per month.
- Tirzepatide (e.g., Zepbound/Mounjaro):
- Legal Cost: Around $1,060 per month.
- Dark Web Cost: Starting at $480 per month.
- Liraglutide (e.g., Saxenda):
- Legal Cost: Approximately $1,349 per month.
- Dark Web Cost: From $84 per month.
Disclaimer: there are no guarantees that they are actual GLP-1 medications approved by official regulatory bodies and have an acceptable safety and efficacy profile.
Review analysis
Of 387 reviews for semaglutide and tripeptide on the dark web, only 10 (2.6%) were negative, raising suspicions about their authenticity. Common positive themes included reduced appetite and no side effects, though one report detailed an autoimmune reaction causing significant vision loss.
Health, legal, and cybersecurity risks
Dr. Suneye Koohsari, an obesity medicine specialist, states, “Medications obtained on the dark web bypass critical safety checks, risking contamination, incorrect dosages, and potentially life-threatening side effects.”
Neringa Macijauskaitė, a security researcher at Cybernews, adds, “Purchasing pharmaceuticals from the dark web exposes individuals to significant data security risks, including identity theft and malware infections, with no consumer protections available.”
Vikas Dhar, a criminal defense attorney at Dhar Law, LLP, warns that purchasing medications from unknown dark web sellers may involve illegal possession of controlled substances like opioids or benzodiazepines without a prescription, violating federal and state laws. Additionally, buying GLP-1 medications online can breach U.S. importation laws, with customs often intercepting such packages and leading to criminal investigations. Being caught with unauthorized medications can result in fines, civil penalties, and criminal charges. Dhar states, “The legal risks are severe and compounded by the likelihood of law enforcement monitoring dark web activity. Coupled with the potential for counterfeit or dangerous controlled substances, buying GLP-1 meds on the dark web is highly inadvisable.”
The research is available here: https://healthnews.com/reports/investigation-availability-of-glp-1-drugs-on-the-dark-web/
