Cases have been recorded in Austria, where the European Agency had already sent warnings about the circulation of fake versions of the medicine
The use of fake versions of Ozempic has caused several people to be hospitalized in Austria. These are individuals who experience severe episodes of hypoglycemia and seizures, according to the Federal Office for Health Security (BASG).
It was because of these symptoms that falsification was identified. The assessment is that the patients were taking insulin medications and not semaglutide, the actual main active ingredient in Ozempic.
“Patients are urgently and strongly warned against any unauthorized ordering of Ozempic on the Internet. Real Ozempic can only be purchased with a doctor’s prescription and dispensed from a public pharmacy. This is the only way to guarantee that the product purchased is a medicine approved, well tested, safe, effective and therefore authentic,” BASG said in a statement published on Monday (23).
According to Reuters, the health agency did not inform the specific number of people affected, nor the duration or extent of symptoms. The office is dedicated to conducting an investigation to clarify the crime.
International alert
This statement comes less than a week after the European Medicines Agency (EMA) raised an alert regarding the circulation of fake versions of the medicine in Austria and also Germany. As BASG explains, the packaging itself shows signs of counterfeiting, with changes in the blue shade of the injectable pen and in the number indicating the amount to be used, which does not exist in the original version.
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Produced by the pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, Ozempic is indicated for cases of type 2 diabetes. However, it has become popular with off-label use to treat obese or overweight patients.
In March, high demand for the medicine led to a shortage of supplies in Brazilian pharmacies. Already then, representatives of the medical community had expressed concern about the indiscriminate use of the drug, which could cause serious adverse reactions, such as pancreatitis.
Source: Terra
Ben Stock is a lifestyle journalist and author at Gossipify. He writes about topics such as health, wellness, travel, food and home decor. He provides practical advice and inspiration to improve well-being, keeps readers up to date with latest lifestyle news and trends, known for his engaging writing style, in-depth analysis and unique perspectives.
