Russian Woman Unknowingly Buys Expired Weight-Loss Drugs Online Twice

A woman in Nizhny Novgorod recently purchased expired weight-loss medication from an online marketplace. The incident highlights ongoing concerns about counterfeit and out-of-date drugs sold through digital platforms. Official reports show a sharp rise in such cases across Russia.

The woman bought Reduxin, a prescription-only appetite suppressant containing sibutramine, twice from Ozon marketplace. Both purchases had mismatched expiration dates, which she only noticed after scanning the QR code at home using Russia's Honest Sign tracking system. The expired batch was sold for just 689 rubles ($7.50) for 30 capsules—far below the legitimate retail price of over 4,500 rubles ($50) at Maxavit pharmacies.

This case aligns with broader trends. In 2023, Russia's *Honest Sign* system recorded 1,247 instances of falsified or expired medications on online marketplaces. By 2024, that number had climbed to 2,156, according to Roszdravnadzor data. The woman now urges other shoppers to verify product details via the *Honest Sign* app before collecting orders. She stresses the importance of checking, especially for perishable items or medications.

The incident adds to growing evidence of unsafe pharmaceutical sales on digital platforms. Authorities continue to track and report increases in counterfeit and expired drugs. Shoppers are advised to use official verification tools before accepting deliveries.