The Food and Drug Administration is investigating several hospitalizations and deaths potentially linked to counterfeit semaglutide drugs, such as Ozempic, according to several reports.
At least three Americans have been hospitalized after injecting themselves with a suspected counterfeit product, CBS News reports.
The hospital admission under investigation was allegedly among 42 cases reported to the FDA’s Adverse Event Reporting System that cited the use of counterfeit semaglutide — in which its game-changing ingredient was swapped for a synthetic version of insulin.
However, the adverse effect cases sent to FAERS were not necessarily medically verified and only a few specifically mentioned Ozempic, including one of the three hospitalizations under investigation.
The Food and Drug Administration is investigating several hospitalizations and deaths potentially linked to counterfeit semaglutide drugs, such as Ozempic, according to several reports.
More than half of the reported cases are classified as “serious,” which may include death.
Two women allegedly died after suffering blood clots caused by the fake medicine, the Daily Mail reported.
Symptoms experienced by defrauded patients include seizures, skin discoloration, bruising and liver disorders, according to the British tab.
All cases were submitted to the FDA by Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Ozempic.
“In close cooperation with the FDA, we have taken steps to create awareness about potential counterfeit products,” a representative from Novo Nordisk told The Post. “We have provided communications to a number of stakeholders, including wholesalers and pharmacists, to ensure they are aware of the situation and can also identify potential counterfeit semaglutide injectable products.”
Novo Nordisk warned consumers earlier this summer that counterfeit versions of the drug, which reportedly replaced semaglutide with insulin glargine, were being bought at retail pharmacies across the country. Reuters
Counterfeit versions of diabetes drugs have been found for sale on Facebook groups and, more worryingly, have also made their way onto pharmacy shelves.
Novo Nordisk warned consumers earlier this summer that counterfeit versions of the drug were being bought at some retail pharmacies across the country.
An FDA spokesperson has assured that all reports are being investigated and “an appropriate regulatory response” will be made. “FDA remains vigilant in protecting the US drug supply from this threat,” the agency told The Post in a statement.
Ozempic, a semaglutide designed to improve the quality of life of diabetics, sparked a weight-loss craze across the US when patients – almost by accident – found they lost weight at a rapid rate after being put on the drug. Now, non-diabetics are demanding diet pills that are unintended, leading to shortages, reports of dangerous side effects and fraud.
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Source: thtrangdai.edu.vn/en/
