Australian woman suffers horror side effects after taking fake Ozempic
Authorities have issued a dire warning after a woman suffered a life-threatening reaction to a counterfeit Ozempic as scammers flooded Australia with fake replicas of the ‘miracle drug’ weight loss drug.
The Australian woman suffered a serious medical episode after using an insulin pen bought abroad which she thought was Ozempic.
Medical authorities are warning that scammers are shipping counterfeit products to Australia to take advantage of the global shortage of the drug.
Photos released by the medical watchdog the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) and the Australian Border Force show seized insulin pens with the Ozempic brand and even ‘batch numbers’, but they are not genuine.
Ozempic maker Novo Nordisk confirmed that the batch number associated with the adverse event, JS7A925, and that the NPSG234 number displayed on the seized pens were not genuine.
The counterfeits also have a blue end cap instead of the gray one that genuine Ozempic pens use, a sticker that peels off easily, and a different dispensing mechanism than the authentic ones.
Other warning signs to spot a counterfeit include spelling errors, package inserts that are not in English, and changes in the size, shape, or appearance of medications.
Despite being fake, the counterfeits were imported by Australians who had genuine recipes.
Some of the insulin pens seized by the Australian Border Force and wrongly labeled as Ozempic doses
This photo shows the difference between a fake Ozempic pen and a real one from the maker Novo Nordisk
The TGA warned that it is easy to be fooled.
“Counterfeit manufacturers produce products that may appear legitimate to the untrained eye, highlighting the need to purchase your medications from legitimate sources,” a TGA spokesperson said.
‘For your safety, always buy medicines from reliable sources and consult your doctor or local registered pharmacy if you have any concerns.
‘We strongly advise extreme caution when purchasing medications from unknown overseas websites and recommend purchasing from an Australian pharmacy.’
The packaging for counterfeit Ozempic pens, which scammers are producing to take advantage of the global shortage of the drug
The TGA said the counterfeits posed a serious health risk and this has been demonstrated by multiple adverse reactions abroad.
Fake Ozempic injections may contain insulin, a life-saving drug used daily by diabetics to lower blood sugar levels, but when used by people who do not suffer from this condition, it can cause dangerously low, life-threatening blood sugar levels.
The ABF pledged to destroy any future counterfeits seized before they entered the country.
Authorities urged Australians to call triple-zero or seek other emergency medical care if anyone has symptoms of severely low blood sugar “after using a product labeled Ozempic.”
Symptoms of low blood sugar may include rapid heart rate, shaking, heavy sweating, dizziness, insatiable hunger, confusion or irritability, and nervousness or anxiety.
Ozempic was developed specifically to treat diabetes, but because of its appetite suppressant properties it is widely used by non-diabetics for weight loss.
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