Dec. 22, 2023 – The FDA says it has seized “thousands of units” of counterfeit Ozempic that are circulating while demand for the weight loss drug exceeds supply.
Consumers should not use products labeled with lot number NAR0074 and serial number 430834149057, the FDA said in a statement issued Thursday.
“FDA continues to investigate counterfeit Ozempic (semaglutide) injection 1 milligram (mg) in the legitimate U.S. drug supply chain,” the agency said.
The pen label, carton, information for patients and health care professionals, and needles that come with the fake drug are also counterfeit. The sterility of the needles cannot be confirmed and may present a risk of infection.
The FDA and Novo Nordisk, the Danish maker of Ozempic, are testing the seized products but so far don’t have information about the drugs’ identity, quality, or safety.
The FDA said it knows of five people who became sick from using the fake drug, though none seriously. The reactions are like those that may be caused by real Ozempic, including nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, belly pain, and constipation.
The federal health agency recommends retail pharmacies only purchase Ozempic through authorized distributors of Novo Nordisk. Patients should only purchase the drug with a valid prescription through state-licensed pharmacies.
Ozempic is approved for patients with type 2 diabetes. It can also trigger weight loss, so some doctors are prescribing it for that, causing increased demand.
