The World Health Organization has sounded the alarm on counterfeit semaglutides, a medication used to treat type 2 diabetes and aid in weight loss in certain countries.
In a statement released on Thursday, the WHO revealed that three bogus batches of semaglutide, marketed under the brand name Ozempic, have been discovered in various regions.
These falsified medications were first detected in Brazil in October 2023, followed by discoveries in the United Kingdom and Northern Ireland in the same month, and later in the United States in December 2023.
It mentioned. “WHO Global Surveillance and Monitoring System (GSMS), has been observing increased reports on falsified semaglutide products in all geographical regions since 2022.
“This is the first official notice issued by WHO after confirmation of some of the reports.”
Dr. Yukiko Nakatani, Assistant Director-General for Essential Medicines and Health Products at the WHO, urged healthcare professionals, regulatory authorities, and the general public to be vigilant and aware of the counterfeit semaglutide batches.
She emphasized the importance of immediately discontinuing the use of any suspicious medications and reporting them to the appropriate authorities.
“The semaglutides, including the specific brand product that has been falsified, are prescribed to people with type 2 diabetes in order to lower their blood sugar levels.
“Semaglutides also reduce the risk of cardiovascular events.
“Most semaglutide products must be injected under the skin on a weekly basis but they are also available as tablets taken by mouth daily,” she elaborated.
Dr. Nakatani explained that semaglutides not only reduce blood sugar levels but also suppress appetite, leading to their increased use for weight loss in certain countries.
As a result, the WHO has noticed a surge in demand for these medications, accompanied by a concerning rise in reports of counterfeit versions.
Nakatani added, “These falsified products could have harmful effects on people’s health; if the products don’t have the necessary raw components, falsified medicines can lead to health complications resulting from unmanaged blood glucose levels or weight.
“In other cases, another undeclared active ingredient may be contained in the injection device, for example, insulin, leading to an unpredictable range of health risks or complications.”
Dr. Nakatani pointed out that semaglutides are not included in the WHO’s recommended diabetes treatments due to their high cost, which creates a barrier to accessibility.
The WHO prioritizes public health approaches that balance the highest standard of care with feasibility in resource-constrained settings, aiming to maximize access to medicines for entire populations.
Currently, semaglutides are not deemed suitable for this approach due to their cost.
“Also, there are more affordable treatments available for diabetes, with similar effects to those of semaglutides on blood sugar and cardiovascular risk,” Nakatani mentioned.
The WHO is developing a guidance document on the potential use of GLP-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs), including semaglutides, for the treatment of adult obesity as part of a comprehensive care model, Dr. Nakatani announced.
This rapid advice guideline aims to provide timely guidance on the effective and safe use of these medications in weight management.
“The term GLP-1 RAs stands for glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, which include semaglutides, for a class of medicines used for diabetes treatment to lower blood sugar and support weight loss.
“To protect themselves from falsified medicines and their harmful effects, patients who are using these products can take actions such as buying medicines with prescriptions from licensed physicians and avoid buying medicines from unfamiliar or unverified sources, such as those that may be found online.
“People should always check packaging and expiry dates of medicines when they buy them, and use the products as prescribed
“In the case of injectable semaglutides, patients should ensure they are stored in the refrigerator. All notifications on falsified medicines can be sent to WHO via rapidalert@who.int,” she stated.
