Op-ed by C. Philip Byers, former Sheriff of Rutherford County
Throughout my long career in law enforcement, and my time as Sheriff of Rutherford county, I have witnessed many threats to public safety such as drug epidemics, trafficking networks and more. What is quietly developing in the shadow of social media and online stores is something that you would not expect: a health crisis that is masquerading as a wellness trend.
I am referring to the surge in compounded GLP-1 drugs: drugs such as semaglutide and tirzepatide that were created to treat diabetes and weight loss. These drugs, if given and taken as recommended, are useful. But as demand has skyrocketed, an underground economy has grown, and it is dangerous. These counterfeit and compounded drugs are making their way into homes in North Carolina and throughout the country. Some are sold on the black market, others are made in compounding pharmacies that are not regulated, and still more are made overseas without any regulation and are then mislabeled and repackaged. I’ve even seen reports of people unknowingly injecting insulin that had been sold illegally as Ozempic.
These aren’t just risks—they’re landmines. As a former sheriff, I know full well how fast the misuse of medications, particularly injectables, can get out of control and turn into overdose, addiction, and exploitation. They are not personal health choices. They become community safety issues. Have you forgotten about the compounding pharmacy contamination crisis that killed dozens of people and sickened hundreds? The lax standards in one facility created a national tragedy. We are now at the precipice of doing it again.
Now, let me make one thing very clear: I am not pointing fingers at people who are seeking to pay less money to take care of their health. But the solution isn’t injecting yourself with a mystery powder you bought online. It’s not trusting a clinic that can be found on Instagram. It is not permitting people to capitalize on people’s health issues.
The FDA and state medical boards need to crack down on these compounding operations that are putting out unsafe drugs, especially those that are using unapproved raw materials. Federal partners should move fast to shut down online sellers who pose as research chemical vendors, and who are selling to teenagers and adults at a cheap price with promises of weight loss. And we, as citizens, need to wake up to what is happening. Just because it is called “compounded” does not mean it is safe. Just because it is on TikTok does not mean it is legal. We have seen the results of not paying attention to the signs before. This is from someone who has spent their entire career protecting families and neighbourhoods, and I am raising the alarm now—before this quiet crisis turns into another headline tragedy.