WHO sounds alarm over rise in counterfeit Ozempic drugs

The World Health Organization (WHO) reports that counterfeit versions of a drug used to treat diabetes and obesity are being offered on the internet. These drugs may be harmful to health. The original medication is available by prescription only, but due to its growing popularity, it is often counterfeited.

The drug's trade name is Ozempic. It contains semaglutide, which is used to treat type 2 diabetes, but the drug has also been found effective for weight loss.

Although the drug is available only by prescription, it is increasingly being counterfeited. According to WHO, Ozempic counterfeits have already been detected in European countries such as the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland, as well as in the USA and Brazil.

WHO advises healthcare workers, regulatory authorities, and patients to be aware of counterfeit drug batches, emphasized Dr. Yukiko Nakatani, WHO's deputy director-general.

The World Health Organization recommends discontinuing the use of suspicious drugs and avoiding purchasing medications from unknown or unverified sources, such as on the Internet.

The organization notes that counterfeit drugs can hurt health. Counterfeit products may either lack sufficient active ingredients or contain substances such as insulin.

Semaglutide is prescribed to people with type 2 diabetes. The substance aims to lower blood sugar levels and also reduce the risk of cardiovascular events.

Products containing this substance also suppress appetite, so they are prescribed to reduce body weight in some countries. Due to their high cost, products based on semaglutide are not included in the WHO-recommended range of medications used to treat diabetes.