The World Health Organization (WHO) issued a medical product alert on Thursday regarding falsified semaglutides, a type of medication used to treat type 2 diabetes and obesity. The alert has prompted Pakistani drug regulatory authorities to caution the public against purchasing GLP-1 receptor agonists (RAs), including semaglutides, from online sources. Authorities noted an increase in online promotions of GLP-1 RA products for weight loss, an unapproved use, which has led to risky procurement behaviors.
An official from the Drug Regulatory Authority of Pakistan (Drap) highlighted that many online sources sell GLP-1 RA products without prescriptions. The quality and safety of these products, which are often manufactured and distributed in poorly regulated environments, cannot be guaranteed.
The WHO alert specifically addresses three falsified batches of semaglutide products, particularly the brand Ozempic. These counterfeit batches were discovered in Brazil and the United Kingdom in October 2023, and in the United States in December 2023. The WHO Global Surveillance and Monitoring System (GSMS) has noted an increase in reports of falsified semaglutide products worldwide since 2022, with this being the first official notice following confirmation of some reports.
Dr. Yukiko Nakatani, WHO Assistant Director-General for Essential Medicines and Health Products, advised healthcare professionals, regulatory authorities, and the public to be vigilant regarding these falsified medicines. Dr. Nakatani urged stakeholders to cease using any suspicious medicines and to report them to relevant authorities.
