Alarm as unsuspecting Australians buy dangerous Ozempic dupes
An Australian woman has suffered a “life-threatening” complication from counterfeit Ozempic, sparking warnings that unsuspecting customers are being duped into buying fake versions of the drug. Here’s what to look out for.
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An Australian woman has suffered critical complications from a counterfeit Ozempic drug, as authorities reveal more fakes have been found in Australia.
The woman had a “life-threatening adverse event” after using an insulin pen which scammers had slapped with an Ozempic label, the medical products regulator announced.
Similar fakes have been linked to multiple hospitalisations and “life threatening” incidents overseas, and sent to other Australians, as fraudsters jump on the diabetes turned off-label weight-loss drug’s global shortage.
The fake linked to the adverse event was purchased overseas, but Border Force and the Therapeutic Good Association have raised the alarm after discovering another batch of dangerous dupes on their way to unsuspecting customers.
Photos released by authorities show the first victim’s drug and the seized items — undergoing testing but again suspected to be relabelled insulin pens — even had Ozempic and its manufacturer Novo Nordisk’s branding and batch numbers.
But Novo Nordisk has confirmed both of these numbers — JS7A925 (the adverse event) and NPSG234 (border seizure) were fake.
The use of insulin in the fake products has alarmed the TGA, as — while it is a lifesaving medication used daily by diabetics to lower blood sugar — “unintended use” can cause “dangerously low, life-threatening levels”.
Border Force and TGA said the seized goods were imported by Australians with legitimate scripts, but purchased on overseas, unreliable websites.
“These pens may pose a serious health risk and should not be used,” they said.
“Manufacturers of counterfeit goods are producing products that, to the untrained eye, may appear legitimate, highlighting the need to purchase your medicines from legitimate sources.
“For your safety, always buy medicines from reputable sources and consult your healthcare provider or local registered pharmacy if you have any concerns.
“We strongly advise extreme caution when buying medicines from unknown overseas websites and recommend obtaining them from an Australian pharmacy.”
They said the fakes had errors including a blue end cap (the real Ozempic pen is grey), a sticker that was coming off and a different dose mechanism than the real one.
Other common signs a product is counterfeit include spelling errors, instructions leaflets not in English and changes in medicine size, shape or appearance.
All fakes seized at the border will be destroyed.
Authorities urged Australians to call triple-zero or get other emergency medical assistance if someone has symptoms of severe low blood sugar “after using a product labelled as Ozempic”.
Originally published as Alarm as unsuspecting Australians buy dangerous Ozempic dupes
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