This photograph combo supplied by the U.S. Meals and Drug Administration exhibits an genuine Ozempic needle (left) and a counterfeit needle (proper). The FDA stated it has seized “hundreds of models” of counterfeit Ozempic, the diabetes drug extensively used for weight reduction, that had been distributed via authentic drug provide sources.
FDA through AP
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FDA through AP
This photograph combo supplied by the U.S. Meals and Drug Administration exhibits an genuine Ozempic needle (left) and a counterfeit needle (proper). The FDA stated it has seized “hundreds of models” of counterfeit Ozempic, the diabetes drug extensively used for weight reduction, that had been distributed via authentic drug provide sources.
FDA through AP
1000’s of counterfeit models of Ozempic injections have been found within the authentic provide chain and seized, the Meals and Drug Administration says, however some pretend merchandise should still be in circulation.
Novo Nordisk, the Danish pharmaceutical firm that manufactures Ozempic, which has grow to be wildly common for weight reduction, is working alongside the FDA to check the seized medication, however have but to announce any high quality or security findings, in keeping with a Thursday information launch.
The FDA stated it is “conscious of 5 adversarial occasions from this lot, none of that are critical and are according to recognized frequent adversarial reactions to genuine Ozempic, that are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach ache and constipation.”
The FDA is warning wholesalers, pharmacies, well being care practitioners and sufferers alike to verify 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 pretend models are counterfeit. The FDA says it can not affirm whether or not the needles are sterile or not, which poses an elevated threat of an infection for customers.
Photographs on the FDA information launch present examples of genuine and counterfeit merchandise so customers can spot the fakes.
Novo Nordisk reported over $24.5 billion in gross sales within the first 9 months of 2023, and a couple of third of that’s attributed to Ozempic. The weekly injection is accredited for reducing blood sugar ranges in sufferers with Kind 2 diabetes. Nevertheless, its improve in reputation is credited to its capacity to quell meals cravings through its lively ingredient, semaglutide, in keeping with the College of California-Davis.
The FDA has not accredited Ozempic for weight reduction, however one other Novo Nordisk drug using semaglutide, Wegovy, was accredited in 2021 for weight administration.
