Utah Osteopathic Physician Federally Indicted for Illegal Drug Sales

Utah Physician Indicted for Selling Misbranded Drugs from China

A federal grand jury in Salt Lake City has indicted a Utah-licensed Osteopathic physician for allegedly distributing misbranded drugs sourced from China to unwitting patients. The physician, identified as 39-year-old Justin Bradley Watkins of Pleasant View, Utah, faces charges related to the receipt and delivery of drugs with the intent to defraud or mislead.

The Allegations: Unapproved Peptides and Weight-Loss Drugs

According to court documents and a Department of Justice release, Watkins allegedly obtained misbranded drugs from a brand called XCE Peptides, believed to be located in China. Between February 2024 and approximately April 2025, Watkins reportedly purchased these peptides at deeply discounted prices.

The indictment specifies that Watkins provided patients with several types of prescriptions, including:

• Weight loss medications: Specifically semaglutides and tirzepatide.
• Peptides: Including BPC-157.
• Other treatments: Hormone replacement therapy, Ketamine treatments, and medical cannabis cards.

Fraudulent Labeling and Patient Deception

Federal prosecutors allege that Watkins knew the XCE peptides lacked proper, reliable testing and clinical trials and were not approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA). Despite this knowledge, Watkins allegedly misled his patients by:

• Creating and affixing his own labels to vials and pill bottles before giving them to clinic staff.
• Omitting required information on labels, such as the name and location of the manufacturer, packer, or distributor, as mandated by the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FDCA).
• Failing to inform patients that the medications were not FDA-approved or tested.

The indictment states that over 200 patients purchased these peptides from Watkins’ clinic, TruHealth Clinic, LLC, relying on his medical expertise and guidance to obtain drugs they believed were safe but more affordable.

Professional Background

Justin Bradley Watkins is a licensed Osteopathic physician who specializes in “holistic medicine.” In addition to owning TruHealth Clinic, LLC, court records indicate he previously worked at the Full Circle Wellness Center and the Medical Arts Center Clinic of Brigham City.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are “misbranded” drugs?

Under the Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act, a drug is considered misbranded if its labeling is false or misleading, or if it fails to include required information such as the manufacturer’s identity. In this case, the drugs were not FDA-approved and lacked proper clinical trial backing.

What is the current status of the case?

A federal grand jury has returned an indictment against Watkins. The case is being handled by the U.S. Attorney’s Office in Salt Lake City.

This case highlights the risks associated with the use of unapproved peptides and the importance of verifying that medications are FDA-approved and sourced from legitimate pharmaceutical distributors.