Pharmacists issue urgent warning over ‘explosion’ of fake Ozempic diet shots for sale

Pharmacists warn of ‘explosion’ of fake weight loss vaccines caused by Ozempic shortage.

Weight-loss drugs have become hugely popular as the UK and other wealthy countries grapple with an obesity crisis.

The National Pharmacy Association says it is “deeply concerned about counterfeit drugs in the supply chain,” adding that buyers are putting their health at risk by purchasing the drugs online.

People who want to lose weight and diabetics who have difficulty obtaining medication are urged to speak to their pharmacist or GP first and only use regulated providers when purchasing medicines privately.

When the weight loss promoting properties of the type 2 diabetes drug Ozempic were first revealed, there was a surge in over-the-counter prescriptions for the diet, leading to a global shortage.

Pharmacists warn of ‘explosion’ of fake weight loss vaccines caused by Ozempic shortage (stock image)

Although Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Ozempic, developed Wegovy as a weight loss alternative using the same main ingredient, semaglutide, supply problems persisted.

This appears to be especially problematic for people with type 2 diabetes, who need Ozempic to regulate their blood sugar levels.

Experts say the shortage will continue into next year, increasing illegal trade online.

Nick Kaye, chairman of the National Pharmacy Association, said: ‘Pharmacists are very concerned that current medicine shortages could lead to an explosion in the online sale of unlicensed medicines.

‘Stocks of Ozempic are severely depleted and it is important that these continue to be prioritised for those who need it most clinically.

‘Given the precarious situation of the supply of this and other essential medicines, there is a much greater risk that people will want to order their supplies online from dodgy sellers.’

He said the National Pharmacy Association (NPA) had been informed that stocks of the 0.25mg, 0.5mg and 1mg doses would not be available until December 27.

He added: ‘Based on our experience, it’s much less likely to be earlier than that date and much more likely to be later.’ Ozempic is available on the NHS for the treatment of type 2 diabetes, while patients wanting Wegovy must follow a special weight loss programme and have a BMI of over 30.

However, there are growing concerns that people are circumventing the strict criteria by ordering private prescriptions online, often without extensive medical consultation or adequate checks from healthcare providers.

Weight loss drugs have become hugely popular as the UK and other wealthy countries battle an obesity crisis (stock image)

These drugs are known as GLP-1 receptor agonists and work by reducing appetite and causing the stomach to empty more slowly, leading to weight loss.

People often start Ozempic at the lowest dose of 0.25 mg, before moving up through the levels as needed. The NPA, which represents more than 5,000 pharmacies, said its popularity has led to a shortage of the drug for people with diabetes, while also fueling a rise in counterfeit shots.

The Department of Health and Social Care has warned healthcare providers not to prescribe the drugs off-label and to reserve existing stock for patients with type 2 diabetes.

Patients are advised to check that online providers are registered and regulated by the General Pharmaceutical Council or Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland.

The NPA also wants to see the reintroduction of rules requiring the publication of a list of regulated online drug sellers in the UK. According to the NPA, these rules were scrapped after Brexit.

Mr Kaye said: ‘We believe this move will help improve patient safety. Medicines are not like ordinary goods sold online. They must be handled with great care because they have the power to cause harm as well as cure.

‘We advise anyone who is unsure about the medicines they have purchased online to contact their local pharmacist for advice.’

The Department of Health and Social Care has warned healthcare providers not to prescribe the drugs off-label and to reserve existing stock for patients with type 2 diabetes (stock photo by Ozempic)

The World Health Organization issued a safety alert in June about potentially deadly batches of fake Ozempic circulating in the United Kingdom.

Last fall, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency announced that it had seized hundreds of fake vaccines, claiming to be from Ozempic.

A Department of Health spokesperson said: ‘We strongly advise the public not to buy controlled medicines from unlicensed online retailers or beauty salons as they could be dangerous.

‘The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency works continually to identify those who are trading in medicines unlawfully and will use its powers to take appropriate enforcement action, including, where necessary, prosecuting those who put people’s health at risk. In addition, we are taking action to tackle the obesity crisis head-on – by shifting our focus from treatment to prevention – which will ease the pressure on the NHS and help people live well for longer.’