The World Health Organization WHO has warned that counterfeit diabetes drugs have been in circulation since 2022, affecting all regions of the world.
The health authority, in a statement, referred specifically to findings in Britain, the U.S., and Brazil since October 2023. It disclosed that the counterfeit drug in question is Ozempic, which contains the active ingredient semaglutide, approved in the EU for treating type 2 diabetes.
It further disclosed that the counterfeit version closely resembles the authentic medication but may lack the correct amount of active ingredients, leading to uncontrolled blood sugar levels in diabetics.
The WHO urged doctors, pharmacists, regulatory authorities, and the public to be vigilant and advised people to only purchase medicines with a prescription from pharmacies, not online.