As a member of the Binghamton City Council and a longtime community leader in New York State, I have seen firsthand how deeply diabetes and obesity impact our community. It is not just about physical health—it is about dignity, confidence, and the daily battles people fight to feel good in their own skin.
For far too many, these chronic diseases mean rising healthcare costs, time away from work or family, and a loss of mobility or independence. I know women in my district who struggle to keep up with their kids, who are afraid to be seen in photos, or who feel like they do not belong in spaces where “wellness” is celebrated. And I will be honest—I have felt that way, too.
As a proud woman of color, a single mom raising two daughters—one a teenager—I know how relentless societal standards of beauty can be. I wear wigs, lashes, and makeup not just to “keep up,” but to feel powerful in a world that too often tells women like me we’re not enough. And that pressure to conform, to shrink ourselves—literally and figuratively—has only grown with the rise of social media and filtered perfection.
That is why GLP-1 medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, Zepbound, and Mounjaro have meant so much to people across our community. These are not vanity drugs. They are life-saving tools for people fighting real, often inherited, chronic diseases. For my neighbors, these medications have meant reclaiming their health, confidence, and hope.
But with every advancement comes those looking to exploit it. As GLP-1s have become more popular, we have seen the rise of a dangerous gray market for their active pharmaceutical ingredients (API). These are untested, unregulated products sold under the guise of being “for research purposes only”—but in truth, they are being marketed directly to consumers.
And the results have been devastating.
Between September 2023 and January 2025, nearly 300 bulk shipments of semaglutide and tirzepatide—key ingredients in GLP-1s—were shipped to the U.S. from unregistered factories in China and India. Nearly 82% of these shipments were allowed in, even though the FDA has rules that should have stopped them.
Consumers desperate for a more affordable option are being duped. These sellers don’t offer medication—they offer the ingredients, and people are forced to mix their own doses at home like it is a kitchen chemistry project. Without medical knowledge or sterile equipment, overdosing and underdosing are common. There have already been reports of extreme illness, hospitalization, and tragically, at least 17 deaths.
We would never allow people to buy insulin or heart medication from an Instagram ad and mix it in their living room—but that is exactly what’s happening with these GLP-1 APIs.
This is not just a healthcare issue. It is a public safety emergency.
And let us be clear: this is disproportionately affecting women, particularly women of color, who are more likely to face barriers to adequate medical care, more likely to suffer from obesity-related illnesses, and more likely to be targeted by shady marketers promising “quick fixes.”
Despite pressure from a bipartisan coalition of 38 state attorneys general, including our own Attorney General Tish James, the FDA has yet to act decisively. That must change.
The FDA must treat these “research only” labels for what they are: a flimsy cover for illegal, unregulated, and dangerous drug sales. We need stronger port enforcement, especially at entry points like JFK Airport, and swift penalties for businesses skirting federal safety laws.
GLP-1 medications have real potential to change lives. But that promise is being poisoned by profiteers.
We need to shut down this gray market now—because our daughters are watching. Because our neighbors deserve better. And because no one should risk their life trying to reclaim their health.
By Kinya Middleton
About Kinya Middleton
Kinya Middleton is a member of the Binghamton City Council and a proud single mother of two daughters. She is a community advocate and longtime leader in the Southern Tier.
Featured image credit: DepositPhotos.com
