Fake version of this famous medicine for diabetes and weight loss can be life threatening!

WHO says that these fake medicines can pose a threat to people's health.  WHO  has advised people to get this medicine only from a reputable source (such as a doctor).

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a warning about counterfeit versions of Ozempic, a drug considered effective in reducing obesity. This drug is mainly used to treat type-2 diabetes, but it is also known as 'skinny jab' due to its effectiveness in reducing weight.

WHO says that these fake medicines can pose a threat to people's health. WHO has advised people to get this medicine only from reputable sources (such as doctors) and not through unknown online sites or social media.

The main ingredient of Ozempic is Semaglutide, which helps people suffering from type-2 diabetes to control their blood sugar levels. However, this injection also signals to the brain that our stomach is full. Therefore, this medicine is also helpful in reducing weight by reducing the desire to eat. Despite not suffering from type-2 diabetes, some people are using this medicine only to lose weight. Due to this, there is a shortage of medicine for type-2 diabetes patients and a market for fake medicines has also emerged.

WHO says that it has been monitoring the increasing cases of fake Ozempic around the world since 2022. So far, stocks of fake medicines have been seized in Britain, America, and Brazil.

Health risks

Dr. Yukiko Nakatani, WHO's Assistant Director-General for Essential Medicines and Health Products, says that we advise healthcare professionals, regulatory authorities, and the public to be aware of these fake medicines. WHO has warned that some fake injections may not contain semaglutide at all or they may contain other medicines such as insulin, which may have harmful effects on people's health.