The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a medical product alert on falsified semaglutides, the type of medicines that are used for treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity in some countries.
The Agency in a statement released on Thursday said the alert addresses 3 falsified batches of semaglutide class of medicines (specific brand Ozempic), detected in Brazil in October 2023, United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland in October 2023, and the United States of America in December 2023.
WHO stated that its Global Surveillance and Monitoring System (GSMS) has seen been observing increased reports on falsified semaglutide products in all geographical regions since 2022, adding that this is its first official notice issued after confirmation of some of these reports.
WHO called on stakeholders to stop any usage of suspicious medicines and report to relevant authorities and advised healthcare professionals, regulatory authorities and the public be aware of these falsified batches of medicines, according to the agency’s Asst. Director-General for Essential Medicines and Health Products, Dr Yukiko Nakatani.
WHO disclosed that the semaglutides, including the specific brand product that has been falsified, are prescribed to people with type 2 diabetes in order to lower their blood sugar levels and also reduce the risk of cardiovascular events.
“Most semaglutide products must be injected under the skin on a weekly basis but they are also available as tablets taken by mouth daily. 
“These medicines are shown to suppress appetite in addition to lowering blood sugar levels, and therefore are being increasingly prescribed for weight loss in some countries”, the Agency revealed.
It said further that it has been observing increased demand for these medicines as well as reports on falsification, adding that these falsified products could have harmful effects to people’s health; if the products don’t have the necessary raw components.
WHO added that the falsified medicines can lead to health complications resulting from unmanaged blood glucose levels or weight. “In other cases, another undeclared active ingredient may be contained in the injection device, e.g. insulin, leading to unpredictable range of health risks or complications”.
It noted that semaglutides are not part of WHO-recommended treatments for diabetes management due to their current high cost, saying the cost barrier makes these products unsuitable for public health approach, which aims to ensure the widest possible access to medicines at the population level.
“Also to strike a balance between the best- established standard of care and what is feasible on a large scale in resource-limited settings. However, there are more affordable treatments available for diabetes, with similar effects to those of semaglutides on blood sugar and cardiovascular risk”.
WHO said it’s currently working on a rapid advice guideline on possible use of GLP-1 RAs, including semaglutides, for treatment of obesity in adults and as part of a more comprehensive model of care.
“The term GLP-1 RAs stands for glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists, which include semaglutides, for a class of medicines used for diabetes treatment to lower blood sugar and support weight loss”.
Speaking on taking action to prevent this falsified medicine, WHO said patients who are using these products can take actions such as buying medicines with prescriptions from licensed physicians and avoid buying medicines from unfamiliar or unverified sources, such as those that may be found online.
The Agency added that people should always check packaging and expiry dates of medicines when they buy them, and use the products as prescribed. “In the case of injectable semaglutides, patients should ensure they are stored in the refrigerator”, WHO said.
