British regulators issue warning about Ozempic pen counterfeits causing hospitalizations

Britain's health agency is advising against purchasing pre-filled pens that claim to contain the weight loss medications Ozempic and Saxenda without a prescription, as a few individuals have been hospitalized.

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The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency reported that individuals who were hospitalized faced severe adverse effects, such as hypoglycemic shock and coma. This suggests that the pens may have erroneously contained insulin instead of the intended medication, semaglutide, which is found in Ozempic. The agency did not disclose the current condition of those who were hospitalized.

Ozempic is primarily used to treat type 2 diabetes in adults and is occasionally used off-label for weight loss. Saxenda, on the other hand, contains liraglutide and is authorized in the UK specifically for weight loss purposes. Both medications require a prescription for purchase.

Since January of this year, the MHRA has seized over 350 potentially counterfeit Ozempic pens. Additionally, the agency has received reports of patients acquiring fake Saxenda pens in the UK through non-legitimate channels. The agency confirms that no counterfeit weight-loss pens were seized prior to January 2023.

Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of both medications, acknowledges the existence of counterfeit pens in circulation. In a statement, Novo Nordisk spokesperson, Allison Schneider, mentioned that they are actively investigating and reporting each counterfeit incident to local authorities, in compliance with relevant regulations. To safeguard themselves, patients are advised to purchase medicines exclusively from trustworthy sources and to always obtain a prescription from a healthcare professional.

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Dr. Alison Cave, MHRA Chief Safety Officer, advised the public to avoid using any pre-filled weight loss pens purchased online. Instead, individuals are encouraged to report these purchases to us so that we can investigate and take necessary action. Buying products like Ozempic or Saxenda without a prescription from illegal suppliers greatly heightens the risk of receiving counterfeit or unauthorized substances in the UK.

Earlier this month, the European Medicines Agency issued a warning about the presence of counterfeit Ozempic pens being sold in the European Union and the UK.

German regulators shared an example of a counterfeit pen that displayed noticeable discrepancies compared to the genuine product. These discrepancies included variations in color, absence of visible Ozempic branding, and the presence of additional numbering on the counterfeit version. The regulators emphasized the possibility of the counterfeit pens being available for sale in Germany.

Ozempic and similar medications, which are used for treating both diabetes and promoting weight loss, are currently experiencing shortages in both the United States and Europe. In June, Novo Nordisk issued a warning regarding the discovery of a counterfeit Ozempic pen in the US, which was reportedly acquired from a retail pharmacy. This report includes contributions from Meg Tirrell of CNN Health.