Novo Nordisk's Popular Diabetes Drug Ozempic Faces Counterfeit Threat in Germany

Germany's federal drug regulator, BfArM, has warned pharmacies and drug distributors in response to discovering counterfeit batches of Novo Nordisk's NVO diabetes medication, Ozempic. 

Last week, authorities in the southwestern city of Freiburg's vicinity disclosed the discovery of counterfeit Ozempic but withheld specific details to protect an ongoing investigation by prosecutors. 

According to BfArM, the counterfeit injection pens closely resemble the authentic ones in terms of packaging but can be easily distinguished when compared to the design of the original product. 

Citing a BfArM spokesperson, Reuters noted that the substance in the counterfeit pens is still under analysis, and it remains uncertain whether the packages housing the pens are authentic or fake.

The regulator has assumed control of the investigation, taking over from regional state authorities. While there is no concrete evidence of counterfeit Ozempic being sold, BfArM has called upon distributors and pharmacies to exercise extreme caution, as there is a possibility that some counterfeit versions may still be in circulation.

Ozempic and the weight-loss drug Wegovy, which shares the same active ingredient, semaglutide, have surged in demand. However, the company faces significant challenges in ramping up production to meet the overwhelming demand.

Last month, Novo Nordisk introduced its popular weight loss drug Wegovy (semaglutide injection) in the U.K., making it accessible through the National Health Service (NHS) weight management scheme for free prescriptions and in the private market. 

However, the company has acknowledged that supply constraints will persist in the foreseeable future.

Disclaimer: This content was partially produced with the help of AI tools and was reviewed and published by Benzinga editors.