Fake Ozempic drugs found in US drug supply, FDA warns

As counterfeit Ozempic circulates successful nan US, nan Food and Drug Administration has issued a informing to Americans.

In an April 14 announcement, nan FDA stated that Novo Nordisk — shaper of Ozempic and Wegovy — notified nan agency that “several 100 units of counterfeit Ozempic (semaglutide) injection 1 mg” were successful nan US supplier proviso chain. 

Ozempic is an injectable medicine approved to dainty type 2 diabetes.

Wegovy, nan aforesaid supplier but astatine a higher dose, is approved to treat obesity.

“The counterfeit products were distributed extracurricular nan Novo Nordisk authorized proviso concatenation successful nan US,” nan FDA stated successful its announcement.

“FDA seized nan identified counterfeit products connected April 9, 2025.”

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

Any medications branded pinch batch number PAR0362 and pinch a serial number starting pinch nan first 8 digits 51746517 should not beryllium used, sold aliases distributed, per nan agency.

“FDA is alert of six adverse arena reports associated pinch this lot. However, nary of them look to beryllium associated pinch nan counterfeit product,” nan connection said.

“All six adverse events were reported by Novo Nordisk.”

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

“At Novo Nordisk, patient safety is our apical priority, and we return nan increasing number of incidents involving counterfeit versions of Ozempic very seriously,” he said.

“It is gravely concerning, and we do each we tin to alert patients, healthcare professionals, wholesalers and unit pharmacies astir counterfeit incidents erstwhile they arise.” 

The seized products are presently being tested by nan FDA and Novo Nordisk to find nan identity, value aliases information of nan drugs. 

The FDA’s investigation is ongoing, nan agency added.

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

“Due to nan costs of brand-name Ozempic, much and much group are turning to cheaper knock-off versions, often recovered online aliases done non-regulated channels,” he told Fox News Digital.

“These knock-offs are synthesized successful non-medical environments without nan basal value assurance aliases value control, making them inherently risky.”

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

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

Medications for illustration Ozempic require “precision successful manufacturing,” according to Osborn.

“You should only beryllium utilizing pharmaceutical-grade versions prescribed by a licensed doctor,” he said. 

“The consequence pinch these variants is excessively high, and there’s nary regularisation to guarantee they are made properly.”

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

“Unless you’re getting nan medicine from a licensed drugstore pinch a valid prescription from a doctor, purchasing Ozempic aliases its knockoffs online is dangerous,” Osborn warned. “You can’t verify nan product’s source, ingredients aliases safety.”

Osborn reiterated that medications for illustration Ozempic should only beryllium prescribed by a expert licensed to constitute prescriptions — “not a caregiver practitioner via a telemedicine sojourn aliases a chiropractor.”

“When utilized correctly, these medications are powerful tools, but tin beryllium vulnerable successful nan incorrect hands,” he said. 

“Always consult a healthcare supplier pinch nan due training and acquisition successful utilizing these medications. Safety first.”