Global warning: Counterfeit Ozempic threatens public health worldwide
11:54 AM EDT, June 21, 2024
The World Health Organization issued a global warning about counterfeit Ozempic medication. Despite its original purpose of treating type 2 diabetes, it has gained popularity as a weight-loss aid. WHO recommends avoiding purchasing medicines from unreliable sources, such as the Internet.
The World Health Organization (WHO) warned about using Ozempic medication. It has gained popularity as a weight-loss aid, even though its primary purpose is to treat type 2 diabetes. More and more counterfeit versions of this medication are appearing on the market.
WHO stated that counterfeit medications can pose a severe health risk. The organization advises people to purchase medications exclusively through reputable sources, such as doctors and pharmacies, and not the Internet.
The diabetes medication helps with weight loss
The active ingredient in Ozempic, semaglutide, is primarily intended to control blood sugar levels in people with type 2 diabetes. However, in addition to regulating glucose levels, a weekly injection signals the brain that the body is full, which can help reduce body weight by decreasing appetite. As a result, the medication has become a popular choice for people looking for a way to lose weight.
Information provided by the BBC indicates that the demand for Ozempic as a weight-loss aid has led to medication shortages among those who need it for diabetes treatment. Furthermore, a market for counterfeit medicines has emerged, posing a severe public health threat.
Since 2022, WHO has been monitoring increasing reports about counterfeit Ozempic worldwide, authorities in USA, the United Kingdom, and Brazil have already intervened by seizing counterfeit batches of the medication that could endanger consumers' health.
Counterfeit Ozempic poses health risks
The World Health Organization warned that some counterfeit Ozempic injections may not contain semaglutide at all. This is the active ingredient essential for controlling type 2 diabetes. Other counterfeit products may contain different ingredients, such as insulin, which can lead to unpredictable health outcomes.
"[We advise] healthcare professionals, regulatory authorities, and the public to be aware of these falsified batches of medicines," – said Dr. Yukiko Nakatani, Deputy Director-General of WHO for Essential Medicines and Health Products, as quoted by the BBC.
