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EU and UK regulators have issued a warning regarding the discovery of counterfeit versions of the diabetes drug Ozempic, which is frequently used for weight loss, at various wholesale locations.
This finding is a result of the drug’s increasing popularity and the shortage of supplies, which has led patients to resort to illegal online pharmacies.
The pre-filled injection pens, falsely labeled as the genuine product from Novo Nordisk, a Denmark-based pharmaceutical company, were identified as fakes due to the inactive serial numbers.
These counterfeit pens originated from suppliers in Austria and Germany. Although they have authentic German packaging, their shape and shade of blue differ from the original pens.
The European Medicines Agency has stated that the EU regulatory authorities and the police are actively investigating the matter and have cautioned that additional cases may arise.
The authorities in Germany and Austria are taking legal action against the wholesalers involved.
The demand for Ozempic has skyrocketed due to its effectiveness in aiding significant weight loss. Many patients have started using it instead of Wegovy, another drug from Novo Nordisk that contains the same active ingredient and is specifically designed to treat obesity.
However, the shortage of supplies has resulted in some patients facing difficulties in obtaining the drug.
Dr. Alison Cave, chief safety officer of the UK’s Medicines Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, has emphasized the risks associated with purchasing semaglutide, the active substance in Ozempic and Wegovy, from illicit online suppliers. She states that this significantly increases the likelihood of receiving a falsified or unlicensed product.
The counterfeit drugs were discovered at two UK wholesalers, but the MHRA assures that all of them have been recalled and accounted for, ensuring that none reached patients, legitimate pharmacies, or healthcare professionals in the UK. The EMA also confirms that there is no evidence of the pens being dispensed by authorized pharmacies.
Dr. Cave encourages patients who have concerns about the safety or effectiveness of their medication, or suspect that it may be counterfeit, to report it to the regulatory agency.
Novo Nordisk acknowledges a significant increase in illegal online sales and actively investigates every case of counterfeit drugs that is brought to their attention. The company collaborates with a specialized third party to monitor and shut down illegal online offers, as well as conducts physical investigations to identify the culprits.
Additionally, Novo Nordisk cooperates with law enforcement and other relevant authorities as needed.
“Patients can safeguard themselves against counterfeits by purchasing medicines only from legitimate sources and with a valid prescription,” Novo Nordisk advises.
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