GENEVA (EFE).— The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued an alert over the proliferation in several countries of counterfeit drugs called Ozempic, which is initially used to treat diabetes but is increasingly popular for weight loss, increasing its global demand.
According to the alert, the second issued by the WHO regarding counterfeit medicines in 2024, three counterfeit batches of the semaglutide family of medicines have been identified: in Brazil, the United Kingdom and the United States.
“These counterfeit products can cause harmful health effects if they do not contain the right ingredients, which can lead to complications due to the lack of control of blood glucose levels related to weight,” says the health agency.
Healthcare professionals and local regulators are advised to increase vigilance against potential counterfeiting by stopping the use of suspicious products and reporting them to the authorities.
It also calls on consumers to purchase such medicines only with a prescription from licensed physicians and to avoid “buying them from little-known or unverified sources, such as those found on the Internet.”
They also recommend checking the information on the packaging, including the expiration date, and, in the case of injectable forms, keeping them properly stored in the refrigerator.
Semaglutides are often prescribed to people with type 2 diabetes to help lower their blood sugar levels. Their appetite-reducing side effect has made them popular as a weight-loss drug in many countries, making this segment of the pharmaceutical market one of the most profitable globally.
The WHO stressed that it does not recommend this type of treatment on a general basis for now, due to its high cost and because there are other, more affordable options.
On the other hand, he stressed, the preparation of a guide for the use of semaglutides and similar products for the treatment of obesity in adults is being studied.
#warns #counterfeit #drugs
2024-08-05 17:59:57
