This picture combo offered by the U.S. Meals and Drug Administration reveals an genuine Ozempic needle (left) and a counterfeit needle (proper). The FDA mentioned it has seized ”hundreds of models” of counterfeit Ozempic, the diabetes drug extensively used for weight reduction, that had been distributed via reliable drug provide sources.
FDA through AP
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FDA through AP
This picture combo offered by the U.S. Meals and Drug Administration reveals an genuine Ozempic needle (left) and a counterfeit needle (proper). The FDA mentioned it has seized ”hundreds of models” of counterfeit Ozempic, the diabetes drug extensively used for weight reduction, that had been distributed via reliable drug provide sources.
FDA through AP
Hundreds of counterfeit models of Ozempic injections have been found within the reliable 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 turn into wildly fashionable for weight reduction, is working alongside the FDA to check the seized medicine, however have but to announce any high quality or security findings, in response to a Thursday information launch.
The FDA mentioned it is ”conscious of 5 opposed occasions from this lot, none of that are severe and are in keeping with recognized frequent opposed reactions to genuine Ozempic, that are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, belly 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 not verify whether or not the needles are sterile or not, which poses an elevated danger of an infection for shoppers.
Images on the FDA information launch present examples of genuine and counterfeit merchandise so shoppers can spot the fakes.
Novo Nordisk reported over $24.5 billion in gross sales within the first 9 months of 2023, and multiple third of that’s attributed to Ozempic. The weekly injection is permitted for reducing blood sugar ranges in sufferers with Sort 2 diabetes. Nevertheless, its improve in reputation is credited to its capacity to quell meals cravings through its lively ingredient, semaglutide, in response to 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.