Patients warned of counterfeit Ozempic

By Jenna Wilson

Authorities across the U.S. are warning the public about the rise of counterfeit versions of the weight loss drug Ozempic.

The medication has grown in popularity over the years leading to a high demand for the product. Some places are dealing with a shortage because of this and it’s led to a rise in the production of counterfeit versions.

“So far in the United States, the manufacturer has been able to keep up with demand after some hurdles,” said Julie Marie Nickelson, a pharmacist at Roger’s Pharmacy. “Though getting it all over the world is kind of a struggle and different offshore companies are trying to take advantage of the situation by making a fake product.”

According to the FDA, at the end of 2023 they seized thousands of units of counterfeit Ozempic injections from the U.S. drug supply.

The counterfeit form of the medication has led to serious side effects.

“No one is sure what is in these counterfeit medications,” Nickelson said. “It might be the real medication, but if it is, it’s probably going to be the wrong dosing which can be dangerous. If it’s not that medication, there have been some reports in the UK where it was insulin in the pen and patients took extremely high doses of it which led to a diabetic coma or worse, passing away.”

Nickelson said it’s always very important to make sure you’re getting your medications from trusted pharmacies.

“The prescriptions that we get come directly from our wholesaler who gets them directly from the manufacturer,” she said. “There is no intermediary there that could do something to cause or products to be counterfeit.”

Patients should report suspicious Ozempic medication by calling your local FDA consumer complaint coordinator.