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Updated 20:31 IST, June 23rd 2024

WHO Warns About Presence Of Counterfeit Type 2 Diabetes Treatment Drugs

The rise in demand for weight-loss enhancers such as the Ozempic manufactured by Eli Lily among other GLP-1 drugs has led to a surge in counterfeit products.

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Counterfeit Semaglutides
Counterfeit Semaglutides | Image: Shutterstock

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning based on the prevalence of counterfeit, and fake semaglutides, the type of medicines that are used for treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity in some countries.

The rise in demand for weight-loss enhancers such as the Ozempic manufactured by Eli Lily among other GLP-1 drugs has led to a surge in counterfeit products across the globe.

The medical product alert addresses falsified batches of semaglutide class of medicines, which had been detected in Brazil, and the UK in October, 2023, and the US in December, 2023.

“WHO advises healthcare professionals, regulatory authorities and the public be aware of these falsified batches of medicines,” said Dr Yukiko Nakatani, WHO Assistant Director-General for Access to Medicines and Health Products. “We call on stakeholders to stop any usage of suspicious medicines and report to relevant authorities," he said.

WHO's Global Surveillance and Monitoring System (GSMS) has been observing the rise in reports on falsified semaglutide products in all geographical regions since 2022. This is the first official notice issued by WHO post the confirmation of some of the reports.

 What is semaglutide? 

Image credit: Shutterstock

How to avoid purchasing fake semaglutides?

To protect themselves from falsified medicines and their harmful effects, patients who are using these products can take actions such as buying medicines with prescriptions from licensed physicians and avoid buying medicines from unfamiliar or unverified sources, such as those that may be found online, according to UN agency promoting health.

People should always check packaging and expiry dates of medicines when they buy them, and use the products as prescribed. In the case of injectable semaglutides, patients should ensure they are stored in the refrigerator, WHO said.

Published 20:31 IST, June 23rd 2024