The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a global alert about counterfeit diabetes drugs circulating since 2022, posing a significant risk to patients worldwide.
The WHO’s warning specifically highlights counterfeit versions of Ozempic, a medication containing the active ingredient semaglutide, which is approved for the treatment of type 2 diabetes in the EU. Since October 2023, these counterfeit drugs have been identified in Britain, the U.S., and Brazil.
The fake drugs are visually identical to the genuine Ozempic medication. This counterfeit version is particularly concerning because Ozempic is also used to suppress appetite, leading to its prescription for weight loss. The fake drugs may not contain the correct amount of active ingredients, potentially resulting in uncontrolled blood sugar levels in diabetics. Additionally, these counterfeits may contain harmful substances.
The WHO has called on doctors, pharmacists, regulatory authorities, and the public to exercise vigilance. The organization advises people to purchase medicines only with a prescription from reputable pharmacies and to avoid online purchases. Users should verify that the dosage scale on insulin pens is accurate, the labels appear correct, and there are no spelling mistakes on the packaging.
This alert underscores the importance of ensuring medication authenticity to protect public health.
