The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a medical product alert on falsified semaglutides, the type of medicines that are used for treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity in some countries. The alert addresses 3 falsified batches of product of semaglutide class of medicines (of specific brand Ozempic), which have been detected in Brazil in October 2023, the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in October 2023, and the United States of America in December 2023. 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. WHO advises healthcare professionals, regulatory authorities and the public be aware of these falsified batches of medicines. We call on stakeholders to stop any usage of suspicious medicines and report to relevant authorities".
Dr. Yukiko Nakatani, WHO Assistant Director-General for Essential Medicines and Health Products 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. These medicines are shown to suppress appetite in addition to loweri.
