Federal Health Agency Warns About Counterfeit Ozempic: Identifying Authentic Versions
Heads Up! Bogus Ozempic Floods the Market - FDA's Urgent Warning
Buckle up, folks. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is on high alert due to a wave of counterfeit Ozempic hitting the market. Teaming up with Ozempic manufacturer Novo Nordisk, they've issued a stern warning.
Last week, they sounded the alarm about these phonyzempic. Over hundreds of units of counterfeits have reportedly snuck into the drug supply chain. For now, it's unclear if these bogus batches pose a unique risk. Nevertheless, the FDA strongly advises against using, distributing, or selling any identified fake products.
So, how can you spot these sneaky counterfeits? Well, they're labeled as 1 milligram doses of Ozempic, approved for treating type 2 diabetes. Since the approval of Wegovy, a higher dose formulation of the same active ingredient (semaglutide) for obesity, in 2021, Ozempic has become quite popular as an off-label weight loss medium.
To identify them, look for the lot number PAR0362 (authentic) and a serial number starting with the first eight digits 51746517 (not authentic). But remember, this is just one example. Be on the lookout for discrepancies in packaging and product components.
Counterfeit Ozempic: A Health Threat Unmasked
In 2023, the FDA and health agencies in other countries faced a similar counterfeit problem, with thousands of units entering the U.S. supply chain. In certain cases, these phonies contained insulin, causing users to be hospitalized with insulin overdoses. Even the needles used to inject these drugs were counterfeit, increasing the risk of improper sterilization.
Last year, the World Health Organization (WHO) itself issued a warning after counterfeit batches appeared in Brazil, the UK, and the U.S. So far, the FDA has received six adverse event reports connected to this specific lot of Ozempic. However, none have involved any counterfeit products.
Stay Away from the Fakes - FDA's Advice
"The agency advises patients, wholesalers, retail pharmacies, and health care professionals to check the Ozempic products they have received and not use, distribute, or sell products identified as counterfeit," the FDA said in its alert.
Remember, folks, your health is your wealth. Pharmacies should purchase Ozempic only through authorized Novo Nordisk distributors. Inspect shipments carefully and verify product legitimacy. Patients should obtain Ozempic only with a valid prescription from state-licensed pharmacies and inspect the product carefully before use.
If you encounter anything suspicious, report it! Regulatory and health authorities, including the FDA and WHO, urge healthcare professionals and consumers to report any questionable products to help remove counterfeit medications from the market. So, keep vigilant, and let's fight this counterfeit crisis together!
Counterfeit Ozempic Insights
- Multiple seizures of counterfeit Ozempic units have been reported, including hundreds to thousands in 2023 and April 2025. [3]
- The global demand for Ozempic and related GLP-1 receptor agonists fueled black market sales. [3][5]
- The counterfeit products pose significant health risks due to unknown composition, potentially containing incorrect or dangerous substances like insulin or contaminants like mercury, arsenic, or rat poison. [3]
- The use of counterfeit needles increases the risk of infections and potentially serious infections or sepsis from unsterile injections. [1][5]
- The FDA and WHO urge healthcare professionals and consumers to report suspicious products to help detect and remove counterfeit medications from the market. [5]
- The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is struggling with a surge of counterfeit Ozempic in the market, teaming up with manufacturer Novo Nordisk to issue a stern warning about the phony medication.
- Last week, the FDA sounded the alarm after over hundreds of units of counterfeit Ozempic reportedly entered the drug supply chain, and it's still unclear if these fake batches pose a unique risk.
- To identify the counterfeits, look for the lot number PAR0362 (authentic) and a serial number starting with the first eight digits 51746517 (not authentic) on the Ozempic packaging.
- In 2023, the FDA faced a similar counterfeit problem with thousands of units entering the U.S. supply chain, causing hospitalizations from insulin overdoses due to counterfeit insulin in some cases.
- Last year, the World Health Organization (WHO) itself issued a warning after counterfeit Ozempic batches appeared in several countries, including the U.S., and six adverse event reports have been connected to this specific lot of Ozempic.
- To keep the public safe from counterfeit medications, the FDA and WHO urge healthcare professionals and consumers to report any questionable products, and it's essential to purchase Ozempic only through authorized Novo Nordisk distributors for proper inspection and verification.