Weight Loss Drug's Ozempic Counterfeit: Rising Reports Over Patient Safety Related Fake Drugs

Three individuals sought medical attention for dangerously low blood sugar in the U.S. in the previous year, having taken suspected fake versions of Novo Nordisk A/S’s NVO diabetes medication, Ozempic (semaglutide), according to the American Association of Poison Control Centers (AAPCC). 

Additionally, one person experienced hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) in 2023 after using a compounded version of Ozempic, as reported by the organization, which collaborates with the FDA to address public health risks.

Since the rise in demand for Ozempic and its sister medication, Wegovy and Eli Lilly And Co’s LLY Zepbound, there have been reports of salons and social media distributors selling knockoff versions, 

Austrian and Lebanese health authorities reported instances of hypoglycemia-related to suspected fake Ozempic, some resulting in hospitalization. 

Citing AAPCC, Reuters noted that a single regional poison control center reported the suspected fake Ozempic cases in the U.S., prompting an FDA investigation.

The AAPCC received 3,316 reports related to Ozempic use last year, more than doubling the previous year. 

While most were non-serious complaints, 66 involved hypoglycemia, primarily associated with the brand name Ozempic, Novo Nordisk acknowledges hypoglycemia as a potential side effect of Ozempic, mainly when used with insulin.

Novo Nordisk stated it lacked detailed insights into the cases, as they were directly reported to poison control centers. 

In October, the European Medicines Agency warned about pre-filled pens falsely labeled as Novo Nordisk’s popular diabetes drug Ozempic at wholesalers in the European Union and the U.K.

“There is no evidence that any falsified pens have been dispensed to patients from legal pharmacies, and there are no reports of harm to patients in relation to the falsified medicine,” the European Medicines Agency said.

In December, the FDA said it continues to investigate counterfeit Novo Nordisk Ozempic injection of 1 milligram (mg) in the legitimate U.S. drug supply chain and has seized thousands of units of the diabetes drug. FDA said the needles from the samples were counterfeit.

Price Action: NVO shares are up 0.13% at $105.51 on the last check Wednesday.

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