The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has uncovered a concerning issue within the legitimate U.S. drug supply chain, as counterfeit Ozempic shots have been detected. Patients are being urged to exercise caution in light of this discovery.
On Thursday, the FDA revealed that it has seized thousands of counterfeit doses of Ozempic, a weight-loss drug manufactured by Novo Nordisk. The agency also cautioned that more counterfeit products may still be circulating and available for purchase.
Specifically, the FDA has issued a warning to patients, healthcare practitioners, and pharmacies regarding Ozempic 1-milligram (mg) injections labeled with the lot number NAR0074 and serial number 430834149057. Anyone who comes across Ozempic doses with this description is strongly advised not to sell or use them.
Individuals who possess Ozempic doses matching this description are encouraged to report the counterfeit product directly to the FDA’s Office of Criminal Investigations.
The FDA, in collaboration with the drug manufacturer, is currently conducting tests on the seized counterfeit products. However, as of now, there is limited information available about the identity, quality, or safety of these fake drugs.
While five people have reportedly experienced adverse effects from the counterfeit Ozempic injections, none of the cases have been deemed serious by the FDA. The symptoms exhibited by these affected individuals align with those associated with genuine Ozempic usage, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, abdominal pain, and constipation.
Furthermore, it has been revealed that the entire Ozempic injection package, including the needles, injection pen label, carton, and accompanying doctor and patient information, is counterfeit. This poses significant risks, particularly regarding the sterility of the counterfeit needles, which cannot be guaranteed. As a result, using the fake product for injections presents an infection risk.
In response to this concerning situation, Novo Nordisk issued a news release on Thursday, urging patients to only procure Ozempic through authorized pharmacies. The company emphasized that when a prescription is filled through a reputable retailer that utilizes authorized distributors, the risk of receiving counterfeit products is minimized.
Novo Nordisk further clarified that the FDA’s seizures occurred in warehouses outside the company’s authorized supply chain.
In light of these developments, patients and healthcare professionals are strongly encouraged to exercise vigilance and caution when dealing with Ozempic to ensure their safety and well-being.
