WHO Issues Alert Over ‘Fake’ Ozempic in UK Supply

Counterfeit ’skinny jabs’ frequently prescribed off-label to people not classed as overweight can be harmful, potentially even deadly, according to WHO.
WHO Issues Alert Over ‘Fake’ Ozempic in UK Supply
Boxes of the diabetes drug Ozempic rest on a pharmacy counter in Los Angeles, Calif., on April 17, 2023. Mario Tama/Getty Images
|Updated:
0:00

The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued an alert after fake versions of the off-label weight-loss drug Ozempic were found to be in the supply chain of countries including the UK.

Ozempic is a brand of a group of medications known as semaglutide, intended for type 2 diabetics, which have been repurposed as weight-loss drugs due to their ability to regulate blood sugar and reduce cravings, effectively suppressing appetite.

Rachel Roberts
Rachel Roberts
Author
Rachel Roberts is a London-based journalist with a background in local then national news. She focuses on health and education stories and has a particular interest in vaccines and issues impacting children.