WHO warns of fake Ozempic [Video]

The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a medical product alert Thursday warning that fake versions of medications used for diabetes and obesity, like Ozempic, have been detected in some countries.

The warning said three fake batches of semaglutide, a type of weight loss drug, were detected in Brazil, the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland in October 2023. In December 2023, it was detected in the U.S.

WHO also noted it has been monitoring reports of the fake drug since 2022, and the release Thursday was the first official notice after the organization confirmed reports.

“WHO advises healthcare professionals, regulatory authorities and the public [to] be aware of these falsified batches of medicines,” Dr. Yukiko Nakatani, WHO assistant director-general for Access to Medicines and Health Products, said in a statement. “We call on stakeholders to stop any usage of suspicious medicines and report to relevant authorities.”

The particular drug found to be fake has been prescribed to people with Type 2 diabetes to lower their blood …