The World Health Organization has raised concerns about the growing presence of counterfeit weight loss medication falsely claiming to include active components from diabetes medications like Ozempic and Wegovy.
A recent WHO report highlights that a shortage of diabetes drugs has spurred a surge in the production of fake medications as the demand for weight loss treatments continues to rise.
Research conducted by the University of Michigan reveals a substantial 594% uptick in the distribution of these drugs, particularly among adolescents and young adults, between 2020 and 2023.
The warning emphasizes that counterfeit versions of GLP-1 drugs such as Wegovy, Ozempic, and Mounjaro may lack essential ingredients, like semaglutide and tripeptide, which are crucial for managing blood glucose levels and weight.
Recent incidents in the U.K. involving the seizure of 600 counterfeit Ozempic pens have underscored the dangers associated with these fraudulent products. Several individuals who used these counterfeits reported severe adverse reactions, with doctors cautioning that the use of such fake medications could have potentially fatal consequences.
