The U.S. Food and Drug Administration has seized hundreds of models of faux Ozempic, the company mentioned Thursday, warning that some counterfeit models of the Novo Nordisk
NVO,
diabetes drug should still be obtainable for buy.
Novo Nordisk and the FDA are testing the seized merchandise and don’t but have particulars on their high quality or security, the company mentioned. The needles from the samples are additionally counterfeit, the FDA mentioned, which means they pose a threat of an infection as a result of their sterility can’t be confirmed.
Patients ought to verify any merchandise they’ve obtained for the lot and serial numbers recognized with the counterfeit merchandise, that are posted on the FDA’s web site, the company mentioned.
There have been not less than 5 adversarial occasions linked with the counterfeit merchandise, the FDA mentioned, which have been in line with frequent Ozempic unwanted side effects akin to nausea and vomiting.
Novo Nordisk mentioned in an announcement that it’s “committed to supporting the active fight against counterfeit Novo Nordisk products and other illegal activity in the market.” The firm mentioned it’s working with the FDA to establish different potential knock-off merchandise within the U.S.
The Danish drugmaker has taken a sequence of steps this yr to fight faux merchandise amid the surging reputation of GLP-1 medication extensively used for weight reduction. Novo Nordisk mentioned in June, for instance, that it was taking authorized motion towards medical spas, wellness clinics and compounding pharmacies over alleged false promoting, trademark infringement or illegal gross sales of compounded merchandise claiming to comprise semaglutide, the lively ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy.
The European Medicines Agency additionally warned in October that faux Ozempic had been recognized at wholesalers within the European Union and the United Kingdom.
Patients ought to solely acquire Ozempic with a sound prescription by means of state-licensed pharmacies and verify the product for any indicators of counterfeiting, the FDA mentioned.
The counterfeit Ozempic needles just lately recognized have a blue clear internal needle cowl and a paper tab that claims “NovoFine,” the FDA mentioned. Authentic Ozempic needles have a clear internal needle cowl and a paper tab that claims “NovoFine Plus,” based on the company.
Novo Nordisk’s American depositary receipts fell 0.2% Friday and have gained 52% within the yr up to now, whereas the S&P 500
SPX
is up 24%.
Source web site: www.marketwatch.com
