Richlands Woman Pleads Guilty to Selling Black Market Prescription Drugs

ABINGDON, Va. – A Richlands, Virginia woman, who is not a licensed healthcare provider but received and distributed prescription drugs as well as other drugs that are not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), pled guilty this week to federal charges.

Melissa Bandy, 54, waived her right to be indicted and pled guilty this week to a one count Information charging her with receiving misbranded drugs in interstate commerce and delivering and proffering for delivery the misbranded drugs for pay.

“When the public buys an FDA-approved drug, they are purchasing a drug that has been vetted for safe consumption in line with its intended purpose,” United States Attorney Christopher R. Kavanaugh said today. “When individuals skirt these safeguards in order to enrich themselves, they put the health and safety of others at risk. I am grateful to the FDA for their work on this important matter and their continued relationship with the United States Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Virginia.”

“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,” said George Scavdis, Special Agent in Charge, FDA Office of Criminal Investigations, Metropolitan Washington Field Office. “We are fully committed to bringing to justice those who subvert FDA’s requirements and place consumers at risk of serious harm. Our valued partnership with the Virginia State Police and the forethought of the Richlands Police Department for channeling this matter to FDA-OCI were integral to our efforts in safeguarding the public health and safety in this case.”

Although not a licensed healthcare provider and with no valid prescriptions, Bandy accessed prescription drugs through black-market websites specializing in products manufactured overseas. Many of her orders were for drugs that require injection needles, including Saxenda, SelaTox, Botulax 200, and Innotox.

Serious negative health effects may occur by taking these drugs without legitimate medical supervision, including thyroid c-cell tumors, acute pancreatitis, and acute gallbladder disease. Nevertheless, Bandy resold dozens of misbranded and unapproved doses to multiple individuals.

Sentencing is scheduled for October 1, 2024 at the United States Courthouse in Abingdon.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration, the Virginia State Police, and the Richlands Police Department investigated the case.

Assistant U.S. Attorney Danielle Stone is prosecuting the case.