The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised alarms about the widespread issue of counterfeit diabetes drugs since 2022, affecting regions across the globe.
In a recent statement, the WHO highlighted the presence of these fake drugs in countries including Britain, the U.S and Brazil since October 2023.
The primary concern centers around Ozempic, a medication containing the active ingredient semaglutide, which is approved in the European Union for treating type 2 diabetes.
Notably, Ozempic is also prescribed for weight loss due to its appetite-suppressing properties.
The WHO emphasized that the counterfeit versions of Ozempic are visually indistinguishable from the genuine product.
However, these fake drugs may not have the correct amount of active ingredients, posing significant risks to patients.
Diabetics relying on these counterfeit drugs may experience uncontrolled blood sugar levels.
Additionally, these counterfeit drugs could contain other active ingredients that could be harmful to health.
In light of this situation, the WHO urged doctors, pharmacists, regulatory authorities, and the public to be extremely vigilant.
They recommended that individuals only purchase medications through prescriptions from legitimate pharmacies, avoiding online sources.
The WHO also advised users to carefully inspect their medications. They should check that the dosage scale on insulin pens is correctly displayed, ensure the label is accurate, and look for any spelling mistakes on the packaging. These steps can help in identifying counterfeit drugs and protecting patient health.
