Novo Nordisk has filed lawsuits against medical spas and wellness clinics in several U.S. states for allegedly selling unauthorized versions of its weight-loss and diabetes drugs, including Ozempic, Wegovy, and Rybelsus. The company seeks court orders to block the sales and monetary damages.
Three individuals in the U.S. and others in Austria and Lebanon have sought medical treatment for dangerously low blood sugar levels after taking suspected counterfeit versions of Novo Nordisk's diabetes drug Ozempic.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has warned about the safety risks of unauthorized versions of Novo Nordisk's weight-loss drugs and has investigated cases of suspected fake Ozempic.
A trafficking network in Romania has been involved in selling prescription drugs meant for diabetics to individuals seeking rapid weight loss.
Ozempic and similar drugs have become popular for weight loss, leading to a surge in demand and a market for counterfeit versions. Pharmacies can legally produce these drugs to address shortages, but they are subject to less scrutiny.
GLP-1 drugs like Ozempic and Trulicity cost around $12,000 per year in the U.S. without insurance, making them unaffordable for many patients.
Barclays estimates the weight-loss therapies market could reach $100 billion in the next decade, benefiting early leaders like Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly.
Employees in private clinics and pharmacies have falsified prescriptions to obtain and sell diabetes drugs illegally, leading to shortages and financial damage to health budgets.
Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar) is a potential side effect of Ozempic, especially for diabetes patients using it alongside insulin, and can lead to severe outcomes like loss of consciousness or seizures.
Patients are resorting to obtaining discounted medications from unknown sources, posing risks of counterfeit or substandard drugs, leading to serious side effects.
Regulators warn against buying drugs like Ozempic without a prescription due to the risks of counterfeit or misused medications.
This article was written in collaboration with Generative AI news company Alchemiq
Sources: Yahoo News, Vanity Fair, newsendip.com, Forbes