This picture combo offered by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration reveals an genuine Ozempic needle (left) and a counterfeit needle (proper). The FDA stated it has seized “thousands of units” of counterfeit Ozempic, the diabetes drug extensively used for weight reduction, that had been distributed via authentic drug provide sources.

FDA through AP

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FDA through AP

This picture combo offered by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration reveals an genuine Ozempic needle (left) and a counterfeit needle (proper). The FDA stated it has seized “thousands of units” of counterfeit Ozempic, the diabetes drug extensively used for weight reduction, that had been distributed via authentic drug provide sources.

FDA through AP

Thousands of counterfeit models of Ozempic injections have been found within the authentic provide chain and seized, the Food and Drug Administration says, however some faux merchandise should still be in circulation.

Novo Nordisk, the Danish pharmaceutical firm that manufactures Ozempic, which has grow to be wildly popular for weight loss, is working alongside the FDA to check the seized medicine, however have but to announce any high quality or security findings, in accordance with a Thursday news release.

The FDA stated it is “aware of five adverse events from this lot, none of which are serious and are consistent with known common adverse reactions to authentic Ozempic, that are nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, stomach ache and constipation.”

The FDA is warning wholesalers, pharmacies, well being care practitioners and sufferers alike to test their product labels for counterfeit models and report questionable merchandise to the company. Fakes are labeled with lot quantity NAR0074 and serial quantity 430834149057, it says.

Even the needles within the faux models are counterfeit. The FDA says it can not verify whether or not the needles are sterile or not, which poses an elevated threat of an infection for customers.

Photos on the FDA news release present examples of genuine and counterfeit merchandise so customers can spot the fakes.

Novo Nordisk reported over $24.5 billion in gross sales within the first 9 months of 2023, and a couple of third of that’s attributed to Ozempic. The weekly injection is accredited for decreasing blood sugar ranges in sufferers with Type 2 diabetes. However, its enhance in reputation is credited to its capability to quell meals cravings through its lively ingredient, semaglutide, in accordance with the University of California-Davis.

The FDA has not accredited Ozempic for weight reduction, however one other Novo Nordisk drug using semaglutide, Wegovy, was approved in 2021 for weight administration.