The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a medical product alert regarding falsified semaglutides, medicines used for treating type 2 diabetes and obesity. This alert pertains to three falsified batches of semaglutide, specifically the brand Ozempic, which were identified in Brazil in October 2023, the United Kingdom in October 2023, and the United States in December 2023.
Reports of falsified semaglutide products have increased globally since 2022, prompting this first official notice from the WHO after confirming several reports.
Dr. Yukiko Nakatani, WHO Assistant Director-General for Access to Medicines and Health Products, emphasized the importance of vigilance among healthcare professionals, regulatory authorities, and the public. “We advise stopping the use of suspicious medicines and reporting them to relevant authorities,” she stated.
Semaglutides, including the falsified Ozempic batches, are prescribed to people with type 2 diabetes to lower blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of cardiovascular events. These medicines are typically administered via weekly injections, although daily oral tablets are also available. They are increasingly prescribed for weight loss due to their appetite-suppressing properties.
The WHO has noted a rise in demand for semaglutides alongside reports of falsification. Falsified products pose significant health risks, potentially lacking necessary components or containing undeclared active ingredients like insulin, which can lead to unpredictable health complications.
Despite their benefits, semaglutides are not part of WHO-recommended treatments for diabetes management due to their high cost, which makes them impractical for widespread public health use, especially in resource-limited settings. More affordable treatments with similar efficacy on blood sugar and cardiovascular risk are available.
The WHO is currently developing a rapid advice guideline on the possible use of GLP-1 RAs, including semaglutides, for treating obesity in adults as part of a comprehensive care model. Glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists (GLP-1 RAs) are a class of medicines used to lower blood sugar and support weight loss in diabetes treatment.
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