Worldwide warning about counterfeit Ozempic drugs

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a global warning about fake Ozempic, which has become popular as a weight loss product.

The drug is sometimes called a “slimming shot,” although its primary purpose is to treat type 2 diabetes.

The WHO stated that the counterfeit medicines could pose a health risk.

The organization advised people to only obtain the drug from reputable sources, such as a doctor, and not from obscure websites on the Internet or social media.

The active ingredient in Ozempic – semaglutide – helps people with type 2 diabetes control the amount of sugar in their blood.

However, the weekly injection also signals to the brain that we are full. So the drug helps with weight loss by reducing the urge to eat.

People without diabetes are given the medicine as a weight loss medication.

This has led to supply shortages for people with type 2 diabetes and created a market for counterfeit medicines.

The WHO said it has been monitoring an increasing number of reports of questionable Ozempic worldwide since 2022.

Counterfeit batches have been seized by authorities in the UK, the US and Brazil.

“We urge healthcare professionals, regulators and the public to raise awareness about these counterfeit medicine batches,” said Dr Yukiko Nakatani, WHO Assistant Director-General for Essential Medicines and Health Products.

The WHO warned that some dummy injections may not contain semaglutide or other drugs such as insulin at all, which could lead to “unpredictable” effects.

“These counterfeit products could have harmful effects on people’s health,” the WHO said.

They came into the country from legitimate suppliers in Austria and Germany and appeared to have authentic packaging.

Dr Alison Cave, the organisation’s chief safety officer, said: “Buying semaglutide from illegal online suppliers significantly increases the risk of receiving a product that is either counterfeit or not authorised for use in the UK.”

She said injecting such products “could endanger your health.”

A stronger version of Ozempic was developed specifically for weight loss and is marketed under the name Wegovy.

This is offered in specialist weight loss clinics of the UK NHS.