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CASTRIES, St. Lucia, Jun 24, CMC -Health authorities in St. Lucia say they are concerned over reports that various medications are being offered through establishments and providers that are not licensed pharmacies.
The Ministry of Health, Wellness and Nutrition is urging the public to exercise caution when seeking prescription medications, particularly GLP-1 medications such as Ozempic, used for the treatment of diabetes and weight management.
“We recognize that many individuals are seeking effective treatments to improve their health and wellbeing. However, the Ministry of Health is increasingly concerned by reports of medications, including GLP-1 products and compounded GLP-1 formulations, being offered through establishments and providers that are not licensed Pharmacies.”
It warned the public that prescription medications should only be used under the supervision of a qualified physician or other authorised prescriber, noting “these medicines require a proper medical assessment to determine whether they are appropriate, safe, and effective for an individual’s specific health condition”.
Patients are strongly advised to consult a licensed physician before starting any GLP-1 medication or other prescription treatment, obtain prescription medications only from registered and licensed pharmacies.
They should also avoid purchasing medications from unlicensed vendors, beauty establishments, social media platforms, or any source that is not authorized to dispense prescription medicines.
The ministry said that “obtaining medications from unauthorised sources presents significant risks, including the possibility of receiving counterfeit, contaminated, improperly stored, expired, or incorrectly compounded products.
“Such products may not meet established standards for quality, safety, or effectiveness and may place patients at serious risk of harm,” the ministry said, adding that its concern “is ensuring that patients receive safe, quality-assured medications”.
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