As Ozempic by Novo Nordisk continues to be in great demand, the United States Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued a warning to patients about fraudulent versions of the medication that have been spreading via wholesalers, retail pharmacies, and healthcare providers.
A large quantity of counterfeit Ozempic has been confiscated by the federal government. Patients are being asked to inspect their received medication for lot number NAR0074 and serial number 430834149057 and to dispose of it appropriately if found, as reported by the New York Post.
Counterfeit Medication on the Market
In a statement released by the FDA issued on Thursday, December 21, the agency warned there may still be counterfeit products on the market.
The FDA said that five individuals have had illnesses as a result of the products but that none of these instances have been deemed serious. It said the fake Ozempic even advertises the same side effects as the original, including the same nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach discomfort, and constipation.
The authority intends to analyze the confiscated goods with Novo Nordisk, but it has no idea who made them or if they are safe to use just yet. Injector needles, patient and healthcare provider information, and the pen's label are all deemed to be counterfeit by the FDA.
"The sterility of the needles cannot be confirmed, which presents an increased risk of infection for patients who use the counterfeit products," the FDA warned.
Popularity as Weight-Loss Aid
Once used once a week, Ozempic was first created to treat Type 2 diabetes. The FDA has not yet authorized it as a weight-loss aid.
Nevertheless, celebrities like Amy Schumer, Chelsea Handler, and Tracy Morgan have showcased its "miraculous" weight-loss effects. Oprah has endorsed it, and her WeightWatchers company acquired Sequence, a telehealth subscription service that prescribes Ozempic.
The powerful medicine semaglutide, which is included in Ozempic injections, acts similarly to the pancreatic hormone GLP-1, which is secreted after food consumption and causes feelings of fullness.
The active ingredient of Wegovy, another medicine manufactured by Novo Nordisk, is also semaglutide. The drug was authorized by the FDA for the treatment of chronic weight control in 2021, while its original indication was diabetes.
Concerns regarding fake Ozempic have been voiced by several regulators than the FDA. According to a statement released on October 31 by the Danish Medicines Agency, 26 websites are selling counterfeit versions of Ozempic and Wegovy.
Also in October, the European Medicines Agency issued a warning about fake Ozempic pens. The pens in question allegedly had German labeling that fraudulently claimed to be the injectable diabetes medication Ozempic with 1mg of semaglutide.
The bizarre side effects of the Ozempic and Wegovy craze have not discouraged Hollywood and non-celebrities from getting semaglutide injections, so Novo Nordisk expects shortages in 2024.
