Fake Ozempic drugs found in US drug supply, FDA warns

As counterfeit Ozempic circulates successful the U.S., the Food and Drug Administration has issued a informing to Americans.

In an April 14 announcement, the FDA stated that Novo Nordisk — shaper of Ozempic and Wegovy — notified the bureau that "several 100 units of counterfeit Ozempic (semaglutide) injection 1 mg" were successful the U.S. cause proviso chain. 

Ozempic is an injectable medicine approved to dainty benignant 2 diabetes. Wegovy, the aforesaid cause but astatine a higher dose, is approved to treat obesity.

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"The counterfeit products were distributed extracurricular the Novo Nordisk authorized proviso concatenation successful the U.S.," the FDA stated successful its announcement. "FDA seized the identified counterfeit products connected April 9, 2025."

Any medications labeled with batch fig PAR0362 and with a serial fig starting with the archetypal 8 digits 51746517 should not beryllium used, sold oregon distributed, according to the FDA.  (Food and Drug Administration)

The FDA has advised patients, wholesalers, retail pharmacies and healthcare professionals to cheque immoderate Ozempic products successful their possession.

Any medications labeled with batch fig PAR0362 and with a serial fig starting with the archetypal 8 digits 51746517 should not beryllium used, sold oregon distributed, per the agency.

"FDA is alert of six adverse lawsuit reports associated with this lot. However, nary of them look to beryllium associated with the counterfeit product," the connection said. "All six adverse events were reported by Novo Nordisk."

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Dave Moore, enforcement vice president of US operations and President of Novo Nordisk Inc., provided the beneath connection to Fox News Digital. 

"At Novo Nordisk, patient safety is our apical priority, and we instrumentality the increasing fig of incidents involving counterfeit versions of Ozempic precise seriously," helium said.

The FDA has advised patients, wholesalers, retail pharmacies and healthcare professionals to cheque immoderate Ozempic products successful their possession. (iStock)

"It is gravely concerning, and we bash each we tin to alert patients, healthcare professionals, wholesalers and retail pharmacies astir counterfeit incidents erstwhile they arise." 

The seized products are presently being tested by the FDA and Novo Nordisk to find the identity, prime oregon information of the drugs. 

The FDA’s probe is ongoing, the bureau added.

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Dr. Brett Osborn, a Florida neurosurgeon and longevity doctor who has prescribed semaglutide medications to his patients, has antecedently spoken astir the dangers of cheaper, counterfeit versions.

"Due to the outgo of brand-name Ozempic, much and much radical are turning to cheaper knock-off versions, often recovered online oregon done non-regulated channels," helium told Fox News Digital.

"You should lone beryllium utilizing pharmaceutical-grade versions prescribed by a licensed doctor."

"These knock-offs are synthesized successful non-medical environments without the indispensable prime assurance oregon prime control, making them inherently risky."

These medications tin beryllium harmful erstwhile there’s nary oversight of their root oregon accumulation quality, Osborn warned.

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"When they’re made successful unregulated environments, there's nary telling what you’re putting into your body."

Medications similar Ozempic necessitate "precision successful manufacturing," according to Osborn.

Ozempic is an injectable medicine approved to dainty benignant 2 diabetes. Wegovy, the aforesaid cause but astatine a higher dose, is approved to dainty obesity. (Getty Images)

"You should lone beryllium utilizing pharmaceutical-grade versions prescribed by a licensed doctor," helium said. 

"The hazard with these variants is excessively high, and there’s nary regularisation to guarantee they are made properly."

People should usage caution erstwhile ordering immoderate medicine online, doctors agree.

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"Unless you’re getting the medicine from a licensed pharmacy with a valid prescription from a doctor, purchasing Ozempic oregon its knockoffs online is dangerous," Osborn warned. "You can’t verify the product's source, ingredients oregon safety."

The seized products are presently being tested by the FDA and Novo Nordisk to find the identity, prime oregon information of the drugs.  (iStock)

Osborn reiterated that medications similar Ozempic should lone beryllium prescribed by a doc licensed to constitute prescriptions — "not a caregiver practitioner via a telemedicine sojourn oregon a chiropractor."

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"When utilized correctly, these medications are almighty tools, but tin beryllium unsafe successful the incorrect hands," helium said. 

"Always consult a healthcare supplier with the due grooming and acquisition successful utilizing these medications. Safety first."