Muscat – This warning comes after the detection of three falsified batches of semaglutide products, specifically under the brand Ozempic, in Brazil (October 2023), the United Kingdom (October 2023), and the United States (December 2023).

Dr. Yukiko Nakatani, WHO’s Assistant Director-General for Access to Medicines and Health Products, highlighted the increased reports of falsified semaglutide across various regions since 2022. This alert marks WHO’s first official notice following the confirmation of several reports.

“WHO advises healthcare professionals, regulatory authorities, and the public to be vigilant against these falsified medicines,” Dr. Nakatani emphasized. “We urge stakeholders to cease the use of any suspicious medications and report such incidents to relevant authorities promptly.”

Semaglutide is prescribed to lower blood sugar levels in patients with type 2 diabetes and is also used for obesity management. Most semaglutide products require weekly subcutaneous injections, although some are available in daily oral tablet forms. Counterfeit versions of these medicines pose significant health risks, potentially failing to manage blood glucose levels or causing unexpected adverse effects due to undisclosed ingredients like insulin.

WHO stressed the importance for patients to obtain semaglutide and similar medications through legitimate channels, such as licensed healthcare providers, and to avoid purchasing them from unfamiliar or unreliable sources, including online platforms.