The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a global alert on fake versions of the diabetes drug Ozempic, expressing their concern that these might harm people's health.

Health Risk

Dr. Yukiko Nakatani, WHO assistant director general for essential medicines and health products, said in a news release posted on Thursday, June 20, that the organization is warning the public, regulatory agencies, and healthcare providers about these tainted medication batches.

In a report by BBC, the group also emphasized the need to obtain these Ozempic drugs only from trusted sources, like doctors, rather than from unknown internet vendors or social media platforms.  

According to WHO, unpredictable side effects might result from administering fake injections that do not contain semaglutide or that include other drugs like insulin.

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What Is Ozempic?

Ozempic is a once-weekly prescription developed by Danish drugmaker Novo Nordisk. The drug's active component, semaglutide, helps people with type 2 diabetes better manage their blood sugar levels.

Although oral tablets containing semaglutide are also available, most medications need weekly injections under the skin.  

In addition to reducing blood sugar levels, these medications have the added benefit of suppressing hunger, increasing their prescription for weight loss in some nations. However, it has stoked the fires of a counterfeit pharmaceutical industry and caused shortages among those living with type 2 diabetes.

WHO has been monitoring an increase in global complaints of suspicious Ozempic since 2022. The organization said the authorities in Brazil, the United Kingdom, and the United States have already confiscated fake batches of this drug.

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