WHO warns about fake Ozempic

The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a medical product alert Thursday warning that fake versions of drugs used for diabetes and obesity, such as Ozempic, have been detected in some countries.

The alert said that three fake batches of semaglutide, a type of weight loss medication, were detected in Brazil, the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland in October 2023. In December 2023, it was detected in the US.

The WHO also noted that it has been monitoring reports of the fake medicine since 2022, and Thursday’s launch was the first official warning after the organization confirmed the reports.

“WHO advises health professionals, regulatory authorities and the public [to] be on the lookout for these counterfeit batches of medicines,” said Dr. Yukiko Nakatani, WHO Assistant Director-General for Access to Medicines and Health Products, in a statement. “We call on interested parties to stop any use of suspected medicines and inform the relevant authorities.”

The specific medicine believed to be fake was prescribed to people with type 2 diabetes to reduce blood sugar levels and prescribed for weight loss in some countries as it helps suppress appetite.

The health organization said it has seen an increase in demand for the medicines, but also in reports of counterfeiting.

If the product does not contain the necessary raw materials, health complications could occur, experts warned. Other reports have found that an undeclared active ingredient may be inside the injection device and may also lead to complications.

The WHO said semaglutide is not part of the recommended treatment for diabetes because it is too expensive, making it “inappropriate for a public health approach” and inaccessible to the general population.

Officials added that the organization is working on “a rapid advisory guideline” on the use of the drug to treat obesity.

The WHO urged patients taking the medicine to purchase medicines only with a prescription from a licensed doctor and to avoid unknown or unverified sources.

“People should always check the packaging and expiration dates of medicines when purchasing them and use them as prescribed,” the statement said.

Eli Lilly pharmaceutical company announced Thursday which was taking several legal actions against medical spas, wellness centers and other entities that use unapproved products that they claim are advertised or designed to look like their genuine medicine, which has been approved by the Food and Drug Administration.

This story originally appeared on thehill.com read the full story