This photograph combo offered by the U.S. Meals and Drug Administration reveals an genuine Ozempic needle (left) and a counterfeit needle (proper). The FDA stated it has seized “1000’s of models” of counterfeit Ozempic, the diabetes drug extensively used for weight reduction, that had been distributed by legit drug provide sources.
FDA by way of AP
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FDA by way of AP
This photograph combo offered by the U.S. Meals and Drug Administration reveals an genuine Ozempic needle (left) and a counterfeit needle (proper). The FDA stated it has seized “1000’s of models” of counterfeit Ozempic, the diabetes drug extensively used for weight reduction, that had been distributed by legit drug provide sources.
FDA by way of AP
1000’s of counterfeit models of Ozempic injections have been found within the legit provide chain and seized, the Meals and Drug Administration says, however some faux merchandise should still be in circulation.
Novo Nordisk, the Danish pharmaceutical firm that manufactures Ozempic, which has develop into wildly widespread for weight reduction, is working alongside the FDA to check the seized medication, however have but to announce any high quality or security findings, in accordance with a Thursday information launch.
The FDA stated it is “conscious of 5 opposed occasions from this lot, none of that are critical and are in step with identified widespread opposed reactions to genuine Ozempic, that are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach ache and constipation.”
The FDA is warning wholesalers, pharmacies, well being care practitioners and sufferers alike to examine their product labels for counterfeit models and report questionable merchandise to the company. Fakes are labeled with lot quantity NAR0074 and serial quantity 430834149057, it says.
Even the needles within the faux models are counterfeit. The FDA says it can’t verify whether or not the needles are sterile or not, which poses an elevated danger of an infection for customers.
Images on the FDA information launch present examples of genuine and counterfeit merchandise so customers can spot the fakes.
Novo Nordisk reported over $24.5 billion in gross sales within the first 9 months of 2023, and a couple of third of that’s attributed to Ozempic. The weekly injection is permitted for decreasing blood sugar ranges in sufferers with Sort 2 diabetes. Nonetheless, its enhance in reputation is credited to its capability to quell meals cravings by way of its lively ingredient, semaglutide, in accordance with the College of California-Davis.
The FDA has not permitted Ozempic for weight reduction, however one other Novo Nordisk drug using semaglutide, Wegovy, was permitted in 2021 for weight administration.