The World Health Organization (WHO) is sounding the alarm over the growing circulation of counterfeit drugs based on semaglutide, used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity.
In a press release received this Friday by APA, the World Health Organization (WHO) warns against the use of falsified medicines containing semaglutide, mainly used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity. The alert specifically concerns three counterfeit batches of the Ozempic brand, identified in Brazil, the United Kingdom and the United States between October and December 2023.
Faced with the increase in reports of falsified products in all regions of the world, the UN body in charge of global health is calling for vigilance and immediate action from health professionals, regulatory authorities and the general public.
“ WHO advises health professionals, regulators and the public to be aware of these batches of falsified medicines. We call on relevant parties to stop all use of suspect medicines and report such medicines to the relevant authorities. “, declared Dr Yukiko Nakatani, WHO Assistant Director-General for Access to Medicines and Health Products, quoted by the note.
The increase in demand for these drugs, particularly because of their effectiveness in weight loss, has led to an increase in counterfeits. The health risks are multiple.
According to the WHO, falsified products may not contain the necessary active components, leading to complications related to uncontrolled blood sugar or weight. In some cases, they may even contain other undeclared active substances, such as insulin, exposing patients to unpredictable risks.
The WHO recalls that semaglutide-based drugs are not part of its official recommendations for the treatment of diabetes, mainly because of their high cost. The organization highlights the existence of more affordable and equally effective treatments for controlling blood sugar levels and reducing cardiovascular risks.
To protect against these falsified medications, it recommends that patients only purchase medications prescribed by licensed physicians and obtain them only from trusted sources. She also emphasizes the importance of checking the packaging and expiry dates of medicines, as well as respecting storage conditions, particularly for injectable semaglutides which require refrigeration.
The organization says it is currently working on the development of a rapid recommendation guide on the possible use of glucagon-like peptide 1 (AR GLP-1) receptor agonists, which include semaglutide-based drugs, for the treatment of obesity in adults as part of a more comprehensive approach to care.
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