FDA issues warning about counterfeit units of Ozempic
Thousands of counterfeit units of Ozempic have been seized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, which is now urging pharmacies, suppliers and patients to use caution when dealing with the drug.
The FDA issued a warning Thursday about the counterfeits of Ozempic, a drug for type-2 diabetes that has also become popular for weight loss.
Patients and practitioners are being advised to check the 1-milligram injectable product and not to use those labeled with lot number “NAR0074” and serial number “430834149057.”
Five people have fallen ill from the counterfeit products, although none of them have been serious cases, the FDA stated.
“FDA and Novo Nordisk (manufacturer of Ozempic) are testing the seized products and do not yet have information about the drugs’ identity, quality, or safety,” the administration warned.
Pen labels, cartons, patient information and needles that come with the product have also been identified as counterfeit.
“The sterility of the needles cannot be confirmed, which presents an increased risk of infection for patients who use the counterfeit products,” the FDA stated.
Patients were reminded to obtain their medication exclusively from statelicensed pharmacies with a valid prescription.
As the FDA’s investigation continues, they are also calling on health care professionals and consumers to report adverse side effects related to the use of Ozempic to FDA’s MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program.
An Ozempic shortage has been reported as celebrities have made the drug popular for weight loss.
Since the rise in demand for Ozempic and its sister medication, Wegovy, there have been reports of salons and social media distributors selling knockoff versions of.