Pittsburgh Woman Sentenced to Probation for Illegally Dispensing Veterinary Drugs for Weight Loss
Nicole Millen, a Pittsburgh-area wellness counselor, has been sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to pay $55,000 in restitution after pleading guilty to mislabeling medication intended for animals and administering it to patients seeking weight loss treatment.1 Millen operated two clinics in the Pittsburgh area: Renew Medical and Weight Loss, and Choice Restorative Medicine.2
The Scheme: Administering Chorulon to Patients
Between February 2022 and May 2023, Millen allegedly prescribed Chorulon, a veterinary drug used to treat cystic ovaries in cows, to her patients.2 While Chorulon contains the same active ingredient as some medications approved for human use, it is not approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for human consumption.3
Prosecutors stated that Millen and her employees obtained the drug from a retailer in Illinois, mixed it with a diluent, and administered it to patients via unlabeled syringes.2 The U.S. Attorney’s Office has not disclosed the total number of patients affected or whether any medical complications arose from the use of Chorulon.
Legal Consequences and Restitution
Millen pleaded guilty in November to mislabeling the animal drugs.3 In addition to the three-year probation, she was ordered to pay $55,000 in restitution to the victims.1
Risks of Using Unapproved Medications
Using medications not approved for human use carries significant health risks. Veterinary drugs may have different formulations, dosages, and potential side effects than their human counterparts. Administering such drugs without proper medical supervision can lead to adverse reactions and complications. It is crucial to rely on FDA-approved medications prescribed by licensed healthcare professionals.