Drugs

FDA Looking Into Counterfeit Ozempic: Report

A Pharmaceutical Cargo Security Coalition alert to drug supply chain members says FDA is looking into fraudulent schemes that appear to be trafficking counterfeit versions of Novo Nordisk’s diabetes drug Ozempic (semaglutide) which is being widely used off-label for weight loss. CBS News says the agency’s action follows a report earlier this year that a counterfeit Ozempic injector pen was found being sold in a U.S. pharmacy.

The news report says FDA investigators have found that the criminals are posing as medical wholesaler employees, effectively taking over accounts of legitimate licensed companies. They target pharmacies looking for discounts on the drug, CBS says.

The alert says illegal activity has been detected at both the distributor and pharmacy levels. An agency spokesperson told the network there were no details to share on reports of Ozempic counterfeits.

The CBS report says it is unclear how many additional counterfeits have been reported to Novo Nordisk by U.S. pharmacies in the wake of the company’s 6/2023 warning about a counterfeit injector pen.

The supply chain alert also reported that FDA has been investigating alleged sales of semaglutide online as well as Lilly’s Mounjaro (tirzepatide).

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Gupta Raises Concerns About Overton’s Independence, Ideology

Overton Confirmation Remains Uncertain After Senate Hearing

FDA Classifies Boston Scientific Imager II Catheter Recall as Class I

FDA Approves Gazyva for Childhood-Onset Idiopathic Nephrotic Syndrome