Is That Ozempic You Just Bought Real or Fake?

Key Takeaways

• Imitation versions of the injectable weight loss drug Ozempic have appeared in numerous countries, says the World Health Organization.
• The risk of receiving a counterfeit is low with medication purchased from reputable sources but anyone who thinks they scored a "too good to be true" deal online should proceed with caution.
• Misspellings and poor print quality on labels are red flags.

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning about counterfeit batches of the semaglutide medications Ozempic (for diabetes) and Wegovy (for obesity).

The alert is specifically related to batches of semaglutide sold as Ozempic in several countries, including a batch detected in December 2023 in the United States.

The WHO notes that counterfeit Ozempic has also been detected in Brazil (October 2023) and the United Kingdom (October 2023).

While fake Ozempic poses real risks, the odds of getting counterfeit medication from reputable sources such as your local pharmacy or directly from the manufacturer are extremely low, says Fatima Cody Stanford, MD, MPH , associate professor of medicine at Harvard Medical School and obesity specialist at Massachusetts General Hospital, both in Boston.

"These entities follow stringent regulatory guidelines and quality control measures to ensure the authenticity and safety of medications," she says.

Why Counterfeit Ozempic Poses Health Risks

Fake Ozempic or Wegovy can be dangerous for several reasons:

• Ineffectiveness Fake Ozempic and Wegovy may not contain the active ingredient, semaglutide. For people with diabetes taking Ozempic, that could lead to uncontrolled blood sugar levels and potential complications from diabetes, says Dr. Stanford.
• Harmful Ingredients In addition to containing uncertain levels of semaglutide, counterfeit drugs may contain substances you definitely don't want in your body, says John Hertig, PharmD , associate professor at Butler University College of Pharmacy and Health Sciences in Indianapolis, Indiana. "We find all sorts of different other medicines in counterfeit or substandard falsified products as well as fillers like chalk or brick dust," says Dr. Hertig, who is an expert on counterfeit drugs. There are even instances of antifreeze and arsenic in these "medications," he says. "The world of counterfeit medications can be a scary one," he adds.
• Risk of Contamination Fake medications may be produced in unregulated environments, increasing the risk of contamination and infection, says Stanford. Although any type of counterfeit medication is scary, intravenous drugs or injectables like Ozempic and Wegovy carry an additional risk. It's not just the actual medication itself, but the device that injects the medicine that can be counterfeit as well, and that can cause sight reactions (reactions where the medicine is injected) or infection," Hertig says.
• Delayed Diagnosis Using ineffective counterfeit drugs can delay proper treatment, which could make the underlying condition worse, says Stanford.

How to Spot Fake Ozempic

While medications procure through the traditional supply change or provided by a doctor or pharmacist you know and trust shouldn't be cause for concern, other sources can be dicey.

For instance, if you bought your medication online at a discounted price that was almost too good to be true, it may not be genuine - especially if the source didn't require you to provide a doctor's prescription, says Hertig.

"That's when you start to get really concerned, because we don't have that confidence that the medicine was either sourced correctly, meaning the active ingredient is legitimate, or that it was compounded [prepared] under sterile conditions - that's when we worry about the safety of that particular product," he says.

There are legitimate online pharmacies, too, but you need to do your research, says Hertig. An online tool called BuySafeRx allows you to enter the web address of an online pharmacy and see whether it's been determined to be legitimate or illegal.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has created this visual guide to spotting counterfeit Ozempic:

Stanford also offers these check-list of tips for identifying fake Ozempic:

Look at the packaging. Check for discrepancies in packaging, such as misspellings and poor print quality.

Scrutinize labeling. Ensure the label includes the correct drug name, dosage, manufacturer, and expiration date. In the FDA photos, the fake Ozempic needle was labeled "NovoFine" but the authentic Ozempic needle was labeled "NovoFine Plus and was also labeled "Sterile." Inspect the Ozempic pen for any unusual features, such as an extended scale when setting the dose.

Compare. If you have any Ozempic that you know to be authentic, compare the label and the medication itself to the version in question and look for differences.

Check lot and serial numbers. The December counterfeits identified by the FDA were labeled with lot number NAR0074 and serial number 430834149057.

If you suspect your Ozempic or Wegovy is fake, don't use it, says Hertig. Contact a healthcare provider if you've injected yourself with a product that you suspect was counterfeit and experienced a bad reaction.

If you have information about the manufacture or supply of these falsified products, contact WHO at rapidalert@who.int .

You can also call the manufacturer Novo Nordisk customer care at 800-727-6500.

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Sources

1. WHO Issues Warning on Falsified Medicines Used for Diabetes Treatment and Weight Loss. World Health Organization . June 20, 2024.