The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has announced the seizure of “thousands of units” of counterfeit Ozempic, a diabetes drug commonly used for weight loss. These fake drugs were distributed through legitimate drug supply sources.
The FDA and the drug’s manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, are currently testing the seized shots to determine their identity, quality, and safety. However, as of now, no information is available. Five cases of illness have been linked to the counterfeit shots, but none have been serious, according to the FDA’s statement on Thursday.
The FDA warns that some of the fake 1 milligram semaglutide shots may still be available for sale. Apart from the drug itself, the needles, pen labels, carton, and accompanying healthcare information are also counterfeit, according to the agency.
The counterfeit drugs are labeled with lot number NAR0074 and serial number 430834149057.
The FDA advises retail pharmacies to only purchase authentic Ozempic from authorized distributors, and for patients to obtain the drug exclusively through state-licensed pharmacies.
If consumers come across suspect Ozempic packages, they can report them by calling 800-332-1088 or by contacting a state complaint coordinator.