The World Health Organization (WHO) has for the first time issued a global warning regarding counterfeit versions of popular weight-loss and diabetes medications containing semaglutide, the active ingredient in Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy and Ozempic. The move followed reports of fake semaglutide documented across all geographical regions since 2022.
Fake drugs could be harmful and if they do not have the necessary raw components, can lead to health complications resulting from unmanaged blood glucose levels or weight, the WHO said in a statement here. In view of escalating demand and falsification reports, the WHO said that it is now developing rapid guidelines for the potential use of GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) like semaglutides in treating obesity among adults.
“Counterfeit drugs may lack essential active ingredients or contain undisclosed substances like insulin, posing severe health risks such as uncontrolled blood glucose levels, particularly hazardous for diabetes patients,” WHO Assistant Director-General for Access to Medicines and Health Products, Dr. Yukiko Nakatani said and stressed the importance of avoiding suspicious medicines.
Dr Nakatani also advocated for their immediate cessation and reporting to relevant authorities.
The WHO said patients can protect themselves by using prescriptions from licensed physicians to buy the medications. The agency said patients also should avoid buying the drugs from unfamiliar sources, especially online.
Semaglutides are crucial for managing type 2 diabetes and reducing cardiovascular risks. Typically administered weekly via injection or daily in tablet form, these medications also aid weight loss by suppressing appetite.
Despite their efficacy, their high cost renders them unsuitable for widespread public health programs aimed at ensuring broad access to treatment in resource-limited settings.
To protect themselves from falsified medicines and their harmful effects, patients who are using these products can take actions such as buying medicines with prescriptions from licensed physicians and avoid buying medicines from unfamiliar or unverified sources, such as those that may be found online, the global health body said.
People should always check packaging and expiry dates of medicines when they buy them, and use the products as prescribed. In the case of injectable semaglutides, patients should ensure they are stored in the refrigerator, it added. All notifications on falsified medicines can be sent to WHO via rapidalert@who.int.
