When GLP-1 diabetes and weight reduction drugs suddenly hit the market two years ago, patients were clamoring to get their hands on them. GLP-1 drugs, which include Ozempic, Wegovy, Mounjaro and Zepbound, are so popular that it didn’t take long for them to grow to be scarce. According to a recent survey According to a study conducted by KFF Health Tracking, one in eight adults has now used a GLP-1.
Demand shows no signs of abating, and because of this, counterfeit GLP-1 drugs have gotten more common – so common that the World Health Organization (WHO) last week issued a warning to the general public to be looking out for the fake versions. In addition to the warning, drugmakers Eli Lily and Novo Nordisk have filed lawsuits against several firms in an effort to stop the sale of the counterfeits.
“As soon as these drugs came on the market, the demand was so high that pharmacies ran out of supplies,” says Dr. Supriya Rao of Integrated Gastroenterology Consultants in Massachusetts. “So med spas and pharmacies that make their own medications started filling that gap for patients.”
A compounding pharmacy creates medications from basic ingredients somewhat than meting out brand-name drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy. Med spas, many online sources, and compounding pharmacy will not be subject to FDA regulations, so there aren’t any safeguards for what a patient might receive from one in all these sources. “Compounded medications are essentially ‘copies’ of available medications, but they do not have the same safety, quality, and effectiveness guarantees as approved medications because these compounded versions do not have FDA approval,” explains Carolyn Jasik, MD, chief medical officer of Omada Health.
Likewise, counterfeit drugs — like those you may find at a med spa or from a web based source — will not be regulated. “Counterfeit drugs, no matter what kind, are dangerous and can have serious health consequences,” says Jasik. “These drugs may contain toxic doses, the wrong ingredients, or no active ingredients at all. In short, you’re paying for a drug that can either harm you or do nothing at all.”
Risks you could face with an unregulated type of GLP-1 include nausea and diarrhea, irregular blood sugar levels, and infections on the sight of the injection.
Patients often turn to those alternative sources not only because the unique products are in brief supply, but in addition because they will be prohibitively expensive.
“Semaglutide medications are valuable and effective, but we are currently in a situation where the supply chain and cost can make these medications inaccessible to much of the general public,” says Jasik. “It is important to note that this is a large part of why counterfeit medications are created in the first place. As a healthcare provider, I am saddened that this life-saving medication is so difficult to access and that counterfeit medications are emerging that take advantage of people’s desires and medical needs.”
The takeaway message: Buyer beware.
How to avoid fake Ozempic, Wegovy and other GLP-1
Buy only from state-licensed pharmacies
As tempting as it could be to go for the cheaper alternatives available on the market – or simply to get your hands on a GLP-1 drug – experts advise against it. “Consumers should purchase medications from state-licensed pharmacies or from FDA-registered outsourcing facilities to minimize the risk of counterfeit products,” says Simona Dorf, PharmD and clinical pharmacist at First Databank Inc. “It’s important to verify prescriptions from licensed healthcare providers and avoid medications recommended by unverified online sources or social media influencers.”
Educate yourself when buying medicines online
The FDA BeSafeRx website is an excellent source of credible information to coach yourself before you click “buy.” The site warns against web sites posing as online pharmacies and recommends that customers only purchase prescribed drugs from state-licensed online pharmacies. It also provides a search tool to enable you to find one. In addition, it recommends talking to your doctor about any medications you buy online.
Check the packaging and labels
A sure sign that it’s fake is spelling mistakes on the label or poor quality printing. Check each label thoroughly to be certain it’s authentic. In addition to those warning signs, there may be also a missing or added word within the name of the drug. You can even check the serial numbers and lot numbers on the FDA website.
Avoid compounding pharmacies
Rao also reminds consumers that any medication you place into your body can have unwanted effects. Those risks only increase in case you do not get them from trusted sources. “Pharmacies that make medications themselves can be a tricky business,” she says. “Depending on who is getting the medication, no one knows what you’re getting from one day to the next. Injecting a medication from an unknown source is risky.”
There are also vital steps to take when reducing weight, whether you are taking a GLP-1 drug or not, Jasik said, including consistent self-monitoring, similar to weighing yourself, eating a balanced weight-reduction plan, exercising to construct muscle mass and lifestyle programming to develop a structured approach.
Whether or not you select a weight reduction drug, safety ought to be on the forefront of your approach. And if the drug is an element of it, much more so. “It is critical to cross-check such information with healthcare providers,” Dorf said. “Awareness of the risks associated with counterfeit GLP-1 drugs and taking proactive measures can significantly protect consumers. As demand for these drugs continues to rise, vigilance on the part of both consumers and regulators is essential to ensure safety and effectiveness in the treatment of diabetes and obesity.”
More information in regards to the drugs Ozempic, Wegovy and GLP-1:
