The World Health Organisation (WHO) has issued a global warning regarding fake versions of weight loss injection Ozempic.
The organisation has stated that the semaglutide product, the legitimate version of which is manufactured by pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk and originally intended for type 2 diabetics, could pose a danger to health if falsified.
This warning comes after the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) seized batches of pre-filled pens falsely labelled as Ozempic from two UK wholesalers in October 2023.
Dr Yukiko Nakatani, WHO assistant director general for essential medicines and health products said, “[We advise] healthcare professionals, regulatory authorities and the public be aware of these falsified batches of medicines. Patients who are using these products can take actions such as buying medicines with prescriptions from licensed physicians, and avoiding buying medicines from unfamiliar or unverified sources such as those that may be found online.”
Dr Alison Cave, MHRA chief safety officer, said, “Buying semaglutide from illegally trading online suppliers significantly increases the risk of getting a product which is either falsified or not licensed for use in the UK.”
