A number of individuals in Austria sought medical care after using what was believed to be counterfeit Ozempic, a weight-loss drug.
Austria’s Federal Office for Safety in Health Care (BASG) reported serious side effects among those affected, such as low blood sugar and seizures, suggesting that the falsely labeled drugs contained insulin instead of Ozempic’s active ingredient, semaglutide.
The drug, widely used for weight loss, is under investigation, following reports that the affected individuals obtained the syringes from a local doctor in Austria.
Authorities are cautioning the public, as counterfeit pens of a darker blue hue than the genuine ones may still be in circulation.
The BASG urged both doctors and patients to verify their supplies, particularly highlighting that Ozempic, while gaining traction as a weight-loss remedy, lacks approval for this purpose.
Both Austrian law enforcement and the Ministry of Health have advised against utilizing weight-loss injections from dubious sources. Furthermore, recent warnings from the European Medicines Agency (EMA) underscore a shortage of Ozempic for diabetic patients due to increased demand.
In related alerts, the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) reported the identification of counterfeit Ozempic injection pens sourced from Austria and Germany at wholesalers in the UK and the EU. The MHRA confirmed a recall of the affected pens and assured the public that none had been distributed to UK patients.
The agency is collaborating closely with international regulatory partners to uphold the safety and integrity of the supply chain both domestically and abroad.