Authorities have issued a dire warning after a woman suffered a life-threatening reaction from a counterfeit Ozempic as fraudsters flood Australia with fake replicas of the “miracle” weight loss drug.
Australian woman suffered a serious medical episode after using an insulin pen purchased abroad which she believed to be Ozempic.
Medical authorities warn that fraudsters are shipping counterfeits to Australia to profit from global shortages of the drug.
Photos released by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) medical watchdog and the Australian Border Force show seized insulin pens displaying the Ozempic brand and even including “batch numbers”, but they are not legitimate.
Ozempic’s manufacturer, Novo Nordisk, confirmed that the batch number associated with the adverse event, JS7A925, and the NPSG234 number appearing on the seized pens were not genuine.
The counterfeits also have a blue cap instead of the gray ones used by real Ozempic pens, an easily peeled off sticker, and a different dosing mechanism than the authentic ones.
Other red flags to spot a counterfeit include spelling errors, non-English instruction booklets, and changes in the size, shape, or appearance of the medications.
Despite being fake, the fakes were imported by Australians who had genuine recipes.
Some of the insulin pens seized by the Australian Border Force that are falsely labeled as Ozempic doses
This photo shows the difference between a fake Ozempic pen and a real one from the manufacturer Novo Nordisk.
The TGA warned that it was easy to be fooled.
“Manufacturers of counterfeit products are producing products that, at first glance, may appear legitimate, highlighting the need to purchase medicines from legitimate sources,” a TGA spokesperson said.
‘For your safety, always buy medicines from trusted sources and consult your healthcare provider or local registered pharmacy if you have any concerns.
“We strongly recommend using extreme caution when purchasing medications from unknown overseas websites and recommend obtaining them from an Australian pharmacy.”
The packaging of fake Ozempic pens that scammers produce to profit from the global shortage of the drug
The TGA said the counterfeits posed a serious health risk and this has been demonstrated by multiple adverse events abroad.
Fake Ozempic injections may contain insulin, which is a life-saving medication used daily by diabetics to lower blood sugar, but when used by people who do not have the condition, it can cause dangerously high blood sugar levels. low and potentially fatal.
The ABF pledged to destroy all future seized counterfeits before entering the country.
Authorities urged Australians to call triple zero or seek other emergency medical assistance if someone has symptoms of severe hypoglycemia “after using a product labeled Ozempic.”
Symptoms of low blood sugar may include fast heartbeat, shaking, profuse sweating, dizziness, insatiable hunger, confusion or irritability, and nervousness or anxiety.
Ozempic was developed specifically to treat diabetes, but due to its appetite suppressant qualities, it is widely used by non-diabetics for weight loss.
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