Beware! Counterfeit Ozempic Pens Flood European Wholesalers: Health Regulators Issue Urgent Alert
Fake Ozempic pens have been discovered at wholesalers in the EU and UK, raising concerns among regulators The European Medicines Agency has issued a warning, urging patients to thoroughly inspect their medication
Fake versions of Ozempic, a popular diabetes medicine, have been discovered at wholesalers in the European Union and United Kingdom, according to a warning issued by the European Medicines Agency on Wednesday. Patients are being advised to thoroughly examine their medications.
The headquarters of Danish pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, located in Bagsvaerd near Copenhagen, Denmark, is depicted in this image taken on February 1, 2017. The photograph captures the logo of the company, a day prior to the announcement of their annual financial results. The image was taken by Liselotte Sabroe, and is provided by Scanpix Denmark, distributed through AFP/Getty Images.
The manufacturer of Ozempic and Wegovy has initiated legal action against specific med spas, clinics, and compounding pharmacies. The European Medicines Agency (EMA) stated that there is no proof of counterfeit Ozempic pens being distributed to patients through legitimate pharmacies. Additionally, there is no indication that any patients have suffered any harm. The counterfeit pens were identified because they were packaged with genuine serial numbers that were marked as inactive during scanning.
According to the EMA's patient warning, it is advised to refer to the patient information leaflet for Ozempic in order to identify the authentic Ozempic pens. It is crucial to avoid using any suspected falsified Ozempic pens, as this may result in severe health complications.
German regulators shared an illustration of a counterfeit pen which displayed several discrepancies in comparison to the genuine product. These disparities include variations in colors, absence of visible Ozempic branding, and additional numbering present on the counterfeit version. The regulators cautioned that there is a possibility of the counterfeit pens being sold in Germany.
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There has been a shortage of Ozempic and similar medications used for diabetes and weight loss both in the US and Europe. In June, Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Ozempic, issued a warning after a counterfeit Ozempic pen was discovered in the US. The pen was allegedly bought from a retail pharmacy. These medications can be quite expensive, costing over $1,000 per month before insurance. As a result, there has been a rise in online sellers. Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly have taken legal action against medical spas, wellness centers, and compounding pharmacies to prevent the sale of what they consider illegal imitations.
The EMA issued a warning on Wednesday, advising patients to only purchase medication from authorized pharmacies when buying medicine online.
Novo Nordisk reported a notable rise in illicit online sales and stated that it thoroughly investigates every incident of counterfeit medication. The pharmaceutical company collaborates with a specialized firm that monitors and removes illegal online offers. Additionally, it has initiated physical investigations in relevant cases.
"Patients can protect themselves from counterfeits by only buying medicines from legitimate sources and with a prescription," Novo Nordisk added.
