VSP: Richlands woman pleads guilty to federal charge after reselling black-market ‘Botox-like’ products

ABINGDON, Va. (WJHL) – A Richlands woman pled guilty to federal charges after receiving and distributing prescription drugs without being a licensed healthcare provider, the Virginia State Police said in a social media post.

Melissa Bandy, 54, waived her rights to be indicted and pled guilty to one count of receiving misbranded drugs in interstate commerce and delivering and proffering for delivery the misbranded drugs for pay.

Bandy accessed prescription drugs through black-market websites specializing in products manufactured overseas, the post said.

Many of Bandy’s orders were for drugs that required needle injection, such as Saxenda and Innotox.

“Unlicensed individuals who sell unapproved and misbranded ‘Botox-like’ products and other prescription drugs put their unsuspecting customers at risk because FDA has not found these products to be safe and effective for their intended uses and they cannot be safely administered without the supervision of a licensed medical practitioner,” FDA Special Agent George Scavdis said.

Taking the drugs without legitimate medical supervision can result in serious adverse health effects, such as thyroid c-cell tumors, acute pancreatitis, and acute gallbladder disease, according to the post.

Bandy resold the black-market products with improper branding and unapproved doses to numerous individuals, according to the VSP.

Bandy’s sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 1.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Virginia State Police and the Richlands Police Department were on the investigation.

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