A global health alert has been issued after batches of fake Ozempic drugs were found in the UK and other countries.
The World Health Organization (WHO) said the counterfeit weight loss drugs could be harmful.
The health body urged the general public to only get Ozempic on prescription from licensed doctors and avoid buying the medicines from unfamiliar or unverified sources.
Semaglutides - the active ingredient found in Ozempic - are prescribed to people with type 2 diabetes in order lower their blood sugar levels.
These medicines are shown to suppress appetite in addition to lowering blood sugar levels, and therefore are being increasingly prescribed for weight loss in some countries.
Ozempic is not licensed in the UK for weight loss. Wegovycontains the same ingredient (semaglutide) and is licensed for weight loss.
People are still managing to get hold of Ozempic for weight loss, running down stocks of the drug intended for people with type 2 diabetes and allowing a black market of fakes to flourish.
Fake batches have been seized by the authorities in the UK, US and Brazil since 2022.
As demand for the drug outstrips supply, WHO has warned that fake copies of Ozempic could have harmful effects to people’s health.
If the products don’t have the necessary raw components, falsified medicines can lead to health complications resulting from unmanaged blood glucose levels or weight.
In other cases, another "undeclared" active ingredient may be contained in the injection device, e.g. insulin, leading to an unpredictable range of health risks or complications, WHO warns.
People should always check packaging and expiry dates of medicines when they buy them, and use the products as prescribed, the health body says.
In the case of injectable semaglutides, patients should ensure they are stored in the refrigerator, it adds.
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The UK's drugs regulator seized a batch of fake Ozempic in October last year
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It comes after the UK's drugs regulator seized a batch of fake Ozempic in October last year
They had come into the country from legitimate suppliers in Austria and Germany, and appeared to have authentic packaging.
Doctor Alison Cave, the organisation's chief safety officer, said: "Buying semaglutide from illegally trading online suppliers significantly increases the risk of getting a product which is either falsified or not licensed for use in the UK."
She said injecting such products "may put your health at risk".
