Why it’s a problem and how to spot a counterfeit
The alert specifically concerns batches of semaglutide sold under the name Ozempic in several countries, including one batch detected in December 2023 in the United States.
The WHO notes that counterfeit Ozempic has also been detected in Brazil (October 2023) and the United Kingdom (October 2023).
Although fake Ozempic poses real risks, the chances of obtaining counterfeit drugs from reputable sources such as your local pharmacy or directly from the manufacturer are extremely low, says Fatima Cody Stanford, MD, MPH, associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and specialist in obesity. at Massachusetts General Hospital, both in Boston.
“These entities follow strict regulatory guidelines and quality control measures to ensure the authenticity and safety of medicines,” she says.
Why counterfeit Ozempic poses health risks
Fake Ozempic or Wegovy can be dangerous for several reasons:
- Inefficiency Fake Ozempic and Wegovy may not contain the active ingredient semaglutide. For people with diabetes taking Ozempic, it could lead to uncontrolled blood sugar levels and potential diabetes-related complications, Dr. Stanford says.
- Harmful ingredients In addition to containing uncertain levels of semaglutide, counterfeit medications may contain substances you definitely don’t want in your body, says John Hertig, PharmD, associate professor at Butler University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Indianapolis, Indiana. “We find all kinds of other drugs in counterfeit or falsified substandard products, as well as in substances such as chalk or brick dust,” says Dr. Hertig, an expert on counterfeit drugs. There are even cases of antifreeze and arsenic in these “medicines,” he says. “The world of counterfeit medicines can be scary,” he adds.
- Risk of contamination Fake medicines can be produced in unregulated environments, increasing the risk of contamination and infection, Stanford says. While any type of counterfeit medication is scary, intravenous or injectable medications like Ozempic and Wegovy carry additional risk. It is not only the medicine itself, but also the device that injects the medicine that can also be counterfeited, which can cause visual reactions (reactions to where the medicine is injected) or infection,” explains Hertig.
- Delayed diagnosis Using ineffective counterfeit medications can delay proper treatment, which could make the underlying condition worse, Stanford says.
How to spot fake Ozempic
While medications purchased through traditional switching or provided by a doctor or pharmacist you know and trust should not be a concern, other sources may be risky.
For example, if you purchased your medication online at a discounted price that was almost too good to be true, it may not be authentic, especially if the source did not ask you to provide a prescription. a doctor, explains Hertig.
“That’s when we start to get really concerned, because we don’t have confidence that the drug is coming from the right source, meaning that the active ingredient is legitimate, or that it has been compounded (prepared) under sterile conditions – that’s when we worry about the safety of this particular product,” he says.
There are also legitimate online pharmacies, but you need to do your research, says Hertig. An online tool called BuySafeRx allows you to enter the web address of an online pharmacy and see if it has been deemed legitimate or illegal.
The United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has created this visual guide to spotting counterfeit Ozempic:
Stanford also offers this list of tips for identifying fake Ozempics:
Look at the packaging. Check for anomalies in the packaging, such as spelling mistakes and poor print quality.
Examine the labeling. Make sure the label states the correct drug name, dosage, manufacturer, and expiration date. In the FDA photos, the fake Ozempic needle was labeled “NovoFine,” but the real Ozempic needle was labeled “NovoFine Plus and was also labeled “Sterile.” Inspect the Ozempic pen for any unusual features, such as an extended scale when adjusting the dose.
Compare. If you have an Ozempic that you know is genuine, compare the label and the medication itself to the version in question and look for differences.
Check lot and serial numbers. The December counterfeits identified by the FDA had lot number NAR0074 and serial number 430834149057.
If you think your Ozempic or Wegovy is fake, don’t use it, says Hertig. Contact a healthcare professional if you injected a product you suspect is counterfeit and had a bad reaction.
If you have information on the manufacture or supply of these falsified products, contact WHO at rapidalert@who.int.
You can also call the manufacturer Novo Nordisk’s customer service at 800-727-6500.
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