The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning about the global circulation of counterfeit diabetes medications since 2022, a problem affecting various regions worldwide.
Specifically citing instances in Britain, the U.S., and Brazil since October 2023, the health authority highlighted concerns regarding Ozempic, a medication containing the active ingredient semaglutide, approved in the EU for treating type 2 diabetes.
The counterfeit version closely resembles the genuine medicine and is increasingly being used for weight loss due to its appetite-suppressing properties.
However, these counterfeit drugs may lack the correct dosage of active ingredients, potentially leading to uncontrolled blood sugar levels in diabetic patients, the WHO cautioned. Additionally, they may contain other harmful substances.
The WHO urged doctors, pharmacists, regulatory bodies, and the public to remain vigilant. It emphasized the importance of obtaining medicines through prescriptions from pharmacies rather than online sources.
Users were advised to check for accurate dosage scales on insulin pens, verify the correctness of labels, and watch out for any spelling errors on the packaging.
