Counterfeit Ozempic found in the U.S.
Counterfeit Ozempic has already been found in Australia, Ireland, Azerbaijan, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Lebanon, Nigeria, Turkey, Uzbekistan and Russia, and now it's been found in the U.S.
On June 15, 2023 Ozempic maker Novo Nordisk warned that a fake version of the diabetes drug had been found in the U.S. The counterfeit injection pen, which contained insulin instead of semaglutide, was reportedly purchased at a retail pharmacy.
These confirmed fakes are happening alongside an uptick in black market, unauthorized sales of Ozempic and its sister drugs, Wegovy and Rybelsus, on social media platforms and online marketplaces.
Are you worried about whether your Ozempic is genuine? These are Novo Nordisk's tips for how to tell.
Quick links
Semaglutide Fakes in the News
- Ozempic’s popularity has spawned a market of cheaper, imitation versions - The Washington PostSeptember 19, 2023
- Scammers proliferate amid popularity of blockbuster obesity drugSeptember 25, 2023
- Fake Versions of Weight Loss Medicines Surge: Be Vigilant and Take Action! – Fight the Fakes AllianceSeptember 21, 2023
- Weight loss drugs: Fake Ozempic and Wegovy surge in EuropeSeptember 8, 2023
- Warning as 'fake Ozempic' weight loss jabs are sold online mixed with acidSeptember 2, 2023
Black market semaglutide sales online
(Click to enlarge these images)
Image from a FB ad.
Etsy ad, June 2023
Vial for sale on Etsy, June 2023
Instagram post, June 2023
Saxenda for sale on FB. (i News)
Novo Nordisk on how to identify a fake Ozempic pen
Genuine:
- Genuine Novo Nordisk Ozempic® pens do not extend or increase in length when setting the dose.
- The dose dial window only shows intended doses:
- On the pen intended to deliver 0.25/0.5 mg doses, it only shows -0-, 0.25 and 0.5 once dialed up to the intended doses
- On the pen intended to deliver 1 mg dose, it only shows -0- and 1 mg once dialed up to the intended dose
- On the pen intended to deliver 2 mg dose, it only shows -0- and 2 mg once dialed up to the intended dose
- Authentic Ozempic® pens are currently available in the following configurations:
- 0.25/0.5 mg pen
- 1 mg pen
- 2 mg pen
- The box containing authentic Ozempic® will include 4 needles which attach directly onto the pen, except the Ozempic® 0.25/0.5 mg dose carton which has 6 nee
Counterfeit:
- A counterfeit pen may be identified based on scale extending out from the pen when setting the dose.
- The label on a counterfeit pen could be of poor quality and may not adhere well to the pen.
- A counterfeit carton may have spelling mistakes on the front of the box (i.e., 1pen and 4 doses without space between ‘1’ and ‘pen’) as seen in photo above.
- A counterfeit carton may not include the tamper resistant/perforation.
- The batch number printed on a counterfeit box may not correspond to the product strength stated on the same box and pen.
