June 1, 2026: Up to 18 years for counterfeit pill conspirators in Massachusetts
Major Stories
Four Massachusetts men were sentenced for their roles in a counterfeit pill manufacturing and distributing ring. Using five industrial-sized pill presses and attachments that mimicked pharmaceutical markings, the men produced pills that resembled oxycodone, Adderall, and Xanax but contained fentanyl, methamphetamine, or bromazolam. The men were sentenced to between 12 and 18 years for their crimes, which prosecutors linked to over a dozen deaths.
Domestic
Mochi Health customer still believes drugs are safe despite whistleblower reports, National Advertising Division recommends Noom’s advertising claims be dropped, and Alabama regulators warn against research-grade drugs.
Seattle-based King 5 published a story about a woman who lost 110 pounds on compounded GLP-1 drugs from Mochi Health, which the outlet has closely been following whistleblower complaints about company practices. Despite documentation of Mochi’s use of illegally imported active ingredients and unlicensed workers recruited in hardware store parking lots, the patient believes the drugs are “1,000%” safe.
Even Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-registered companies supplying weight loss ingredients have been warned for repackaging and rebranding drugs by the agency for putting patients at risk with these practices. PSM’s Executive Director is quoted in the story saying, “This inspection and warning…again raises concerns about the growing market of compounded GLP-1s and the bad actors that put profit ahead of patient safety.”
Following a complaint by Eli Lilly, the National Advertising Division (NAD) has recommended that Noom’s GLP-1 microdosing claims be changed or dropped. The NAD investigated whether the claim “conveyed an objective health-related message” and concluded that Noom did not provide adequate support for the message.
The Alabama Board of Medical Examiners warned healthcare providers against prescribing or using research-grade peptides, which are not reviewed or approved by the FDA. “Research-grade” drugs do not meet purity standards for human medicines, and the term is used as a loophole to sell the drugs on the black market. In an official notice, the board said doctors in the state must only prescribe drugs obtained from licensed sources that meet prescription-grade standards.
Regulators protecting patients in the news
DexCom recalled two lots of Dexcom G7 continuous glucose monitors. The sensors were designated as scrap intended for destruction, but were stolen and sold by third parties before destruction. Lot 1725204004 is not properly sterilized and carries an increased risk of skin infection, and lot 1725069002 had a high internal testing failure rate and may not show sensor readings.
Two supplement makers, Total Nutrition and Mogo Moringa, issued recalls for moringa superfood capsules after potential contamination with Salmonella. The FDA and Centers for Disease Control (CDC) reopened their investigation, which was initially run from January to March 2026, to track a multistate outbreak of Salmonella infections linked to superfood supplements. In total, the CDC has reported 119 cases of illness, 32 of which were hospitalizations, in 36 states.
More information about the products affected by recalls:
- Total Nutrition Inc.’s TNVitamins-brand Ultra Potent Complete Green Superfood Moringa capsules 10,000 mg (120 capsules) lot 2507199 EXP 09/2027, lot 2512-304 EXP 02/2028, and lot 2793 EXP 02/2028
- Total Nutrition Inc.’s Doctor’s Pride Complete Green Superfood Ultra Potent Moringa 10,000 mg (120 capsules) Lot: 2507199 Exp. 09/2027
- Mogo Moringa, Lot 15525AA – Exp 06/2027 • Lot 00926AA – Exp 01/2028
The FDA warned an over-the-counter drug (OTC) manufacturer in Japan, in part, for failures in the design of its aseptic filling line. The FDA noted that since 2022, at least six media fill failures have been reported and “significant microbiological and foreign particulate contamination has been found in this line.” The FDA also said the firm did not have adequate stability testing to prove that products remained acceptable throughout their shelf life, and did not adequately conduct required microbial testing.
An Illinois-based manufacturer of OTC drug products, including children's toothpaste, was warned for failing to ensure components in their drugs were acceptable for use, noting a lack of chemical purity, microbial quality, and high-risk components testing. The agency also noted inadequate stability testing and uncontrolled data systems.
An Indian active ingredient manufacturer was warned for significant facility disrepair, including rust-like residue on product-contact surfaces, wet paint while drug production was ongoing, and dripping overhead water from condensation that led to standing water around manufacturing areas.
Finally, the FDA also warned two companies, including one in Canada, for marketing nasal sprays used to treat headaches, unapproved new drugs. One spray is marketed as cayenne pepper headache spray, which is not permitted as an active ingredient.
Legislation
Massachusetts legislators introduced House Bill 5455, which would instruct the Department of Public Health to report on progress of the implementation of recommendations issued by the medical spa task force. This bill replaces HB5087, which would have regulated ownership and licensing of med spas. No action was taken after HB 5087 had a virtual hearing in March 2026.
Keep up with state legislation in the areas of pill presses, prescription drug affordability boards, drug importation, and med spas.
International
Seizures of unapproved weight loss drugs in the United Kingdom, and fake cancer drugs in Kenya.
The United Kingdom’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) seized about 12,000 doses of unlicensed weight-loss drugs at a country estate, which has become the center of the largest seizure of weight loss medications in the country. Two were arrested in connection with the facility, which officials say manufactured retatrutide, an Eli Lilly medication still in clinical trials, tirzepatide, and other peptides. In October 2025, the MHRA raided another operation in the same town, seizing empty pens, raw ingredients, and over 2,000 filled pens.
Kenyan authorities are warning the public about a counterfeit batch of the breast cancer drug Phesgo circulating in the country. The batch can be identified by batch number C5290S20 or by the counterfeit product's white powder, which differs from the ready-to-use liquid solution of the legitimate product.