The World Health Organization (WHO) is sounding the alarm over the growing circulation of counterfeit medicines containing semaglutide, used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity.
By Abdourahmane Diallo
In a statement to APA over the weekend, the World Health Organization (WHO) warns against the use of falsified medicines containing semaglutide, mainly used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity. The alert specifically concerns three counterfeit batches of the brand Ozempic, identified in Brazil, the United Kingdom and the
United States between October and December 2023.
Faced with increasing reports of falsified products in all regions of the world, the UN body responsible for global health is calling for vigilance and immediate action by healthcare professionals, regulatory authorities and the general public.
“WHO advises health professionals, regulatory authorities and the public to be aware of these falsified batches of medicines. We call on the parties concerned to cease all use of suspect medicines and to report such medicines to the competent authorities,” said Dr. Yukiko Nakatani, WHO Assistant Director-General for Access to Medicines and Health Products, quoted in the note.
The increase in demand for these drugs, particularly because of their effectiveness in weight loss, has led to an upsurge in counterfeiting.
The risks to health are manifold.
According to the WHO, falsified products may not contain the necessary active ingredients, leading to complications linked to uncontrolled blood sugar levels or weight. In some cases, they may even contain
other undeclared active substances, such as insulin, exposing patients to unpredictable risks.
The WHO points out that semaglutide-based drugs are not included in its official recommendations for the treatment of diabetes, mainly because of their high cost. The organisation stresses the existence of more affordable treatments that are just as effective in controlling blood sugar levels and reducing cardiovascular risks.
To protect themselves against falsified medicines, it recommends that patients only buy medicines prescribed by approved doctors and only obtain them from reliable sources. It also stresses the importance of
checking the packaging and expiry dates of medicines, as well as complying with storage conditions, particularly for injectable semaglutides, which require refrigeration.
The organisation says it is currently working on a guide of rapid recommendations on the possible use of glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists (AR GLP-1), which include semaglutide-based drugs, for the treatment of obesity in adults as part of a more comprehensive approach to care.
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