Thousands of counterfeit diabetes drug Ozempic used for weight loss seized in US

Ozempic is an approved treatment for diabetes. Photo: LEE SMITH/REUTERS

U.S. consumers have been warned to be careful when purchasing diabetes drugs. were used as weight-loss drugs after the seizure of thousands of counterfeit doses of Ozempic.

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said it could not guarantee the safety of counterfeit drugs, warning that some of them may even be stocked in pharmacies.

“Some counterfeit drugs may still be available for purchase,” the agency said.

It is unclear how the counterfeit drugs entered the supply chain.< /p>

The FDA has warned wholesalers, pharmacies and health care providers to check serial number 430834149057 and to refrain from selling or using products with this number.

The agency also said it is conducting a safety review with the manufacturer. Novo Nordisk adds that it «does not yet have information on the identity, quality and safety of the drugs.»

Ozempic is approved in the United States for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, but is also commonly prescribed.» «off-label» by doctors as a treatment for obesity.

Fit, fit and healthy

The drug is part of a growing market of diabetes drugs used for weight loss.

Wegovy, a drug manufactured by Novo Nordisk with a higher dose of the active ingredient Ozempic, has gained fame after various celebrities. described it as a miracle cure for weight problems.

American technology tycoon Elon Musk said the drug is one of the reasons he is “fit, toned and healthy.”

The craze has spread from celebrities to the general public: the hashtag #ozempic has been viewed more than a billion times on TikTok.

On the social network, users are talking about the benefits of taking the drug for weight loss. losses, while others discuss side effects or complain they are taking it incorrectly.

The success of the drug, approved for use in the UK by the National Health Service earlier this year, has led to Danish manufacturer Novo Nordisk has risen to become one of the most valuable companies in the world.

At one point this year the company was worth £350 billion, larger than the size of the entire Danish economy.