Photo:Getty
Getty
The agency’sAdverse Event Reporting Systemhas received 42 reports that mention the use of counterfeit semaglutide around the world, 28 of which are in the U.S. and classified as “serious” with outcomes that also include deaths,CBS Newsreports.
Ozempic has become increasingly popular over the past year as many — including celebrities — have jumped on the trend of using it for weight loss. The drug is in high demand because of its effectiveness — but with theaverage retail costwithout insurance ranging from $1,205 to $1,368 — a counterfeit market has emerged.
Jeremy Kahn, a spokesperson for the FDA, told CBS that the agency has “no new information to share regarding reports of adverse events” linked to semaglutide counterfeits.
“The FDA will investigate any report of suspect counterfeit drugs to determine the public health risks and the appropriate regulatory response,” Kahn said in a statement. “The FDA remains vigilant in protecting the U.S. drug supply from these threats.”
Mario Tama/Getty
Never miss a story — sign up forPEOPLE’s free daily newsletterto stay up-to-date on the best of what PEOPLE has to offer, from celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
Reports in the U.S. come just weeks afterseveral people in Austriawere also hospitalized after taking what is suspected to be fake Ozempic.
At the time, the Austrian Federal Office for Safety in Healthcare, BASG, issued awarning about the circulation of counterfeit Ozempic. The counterfeit version of the drug had been found in “several patients," causing “serious side effects” including low blood sugar and seizures.
Austrian officials have stated that the rise in Ozempic use has caused medication shortages for people with type 2 diabetes. In turn, this has spurred criminal organizations to exploit and “place counterfeits of Ozempic on the market.”
“The BASG has received initial reports that several patients had to be treated in hospital after using suspected counterfeit Ozempic,” they added. They also explained that the patients suffered from side effects such as hypoglycemia and seizures, both of which indicate that the counterfeit falsely had insulin instead of semaglutide.
source: people.com
