October 6, 2023 – Counterfeit versions of the weight-loss drug Ozempic are appearing in quite a lot of schemes, and sometimes the fraudulent offers are extremely realistic, a health trade group warned its members this week.
In some cases, the offers at pharmacies come from scammers posing as wholesalers and offering deep discounts on Ozempic pens. A counterfeit Ozempic pen was put up on the market at a US pharmacy earlier this 12 months, CBS News reported.
A gaggle representing U.S. health product distributors sent its members an email warning them about quite a lot of schemes being investigated by the FDA which are related to Ozempic and counterfeit versions of the drug.
“The sellers provide sufficient information and documentation to make it appear that the transaction is legitimate,” the alert states, in accordance with CBS News. “The transaction requires full or partial payment up front via wire transfer, non-disclosure agreements, the establishment of purchasing accounts, and occasionally fraudulent transaction statements.”
The fraudulent offers are fueled by high demand for weight-loss drugs, in addition to shortages of Ozempic and an identical drug called Wegovy. Both cause significant weight reduction through the lively ingredient semaglutide, but are approved for various uses. Ozempic is approved to treat type 2 diabetes, while Wegovy is approved to treat obese or obesity.
Earlier this 12 months, the manufacturer of Ozempic and Wegovy advised patients prescribed these drugs to “check their medications carefully” to make sure they're authentic. Novo Nordisk, a drug manufacturer, published Pictures of fake pens and packages displayed alongside the actual ones. Some signs that a pen or package is perhaps fake include:
- Non-traditional dosages with graduations on the pen.
- Poor quality label that doesn't adhere well to the pen itself.
- Spelling mistake on the packaging.
Earlier this 12 months, the FDA warned that counterfeits containing compounded semaglutide, or in some cases a salt version of semaglutide, might not be protected.
Illegal counterfeits have been found around the globe, from Nigeria to Australia, CBS News reported. The industry group warned that the inauthentic pens have been discovered in pharmacies and through distribution.