Getty ImagesA counterfeit Ozempic pen seized in LondonA international alert about faux variations of Ozempic – which has turn into common as a manner of reducing weight – has been issued by the World Well being Group (WHO).The drug is typically often called a “skinny jab” regardless of its important function being a remedy for kind 2 diabetes. The WHO stated the faux medicines might pose a hazard to well being. The organisation suggested folks to supply the drug solely via respected sources, resembling a health care provider, moderately than obscure websites on-line or via social media. The energetic ingredient in Ozempic – semaglutide – helps folks with kind 2 diabetes management the quantity of sugar of their blood. Nonetheless, the weekly injection additionally indicators to the mind that we’re full. So the drug helps folks shed weight by lowering the urge to eat.Folks with out diabetes have been getting maintain of the drug as a weight-loss remedy.It has led to shortages for folks with kind 2 diabetes and created a marketplace for counterfeit medication. The WHO stated it had been monitoring rising stories of dodgy Ozempic all world wide since 2022.Faux batches have been seized by the authorities within the UK, US and Brazil. Threat to well being“[We advise] healthcare professionals, regulatory authorities and the general public pay attention to these falsified batches of medicines,” stated Dr Yukiko Nakatani, WHO assistant director basic for important medicines and well being merchandise. The WHO warned some faux injections could not include semaglutide in any respect or others could include different medicines, resembling insulin, resulting in “unpredictable” results.”These falsified merchandise might have dangerous results to folks’s well being,” the WHO stated.The UK’s medication regulator seized a batch of faux Ozempic in October final 12 months.They’d come into the nation from legit suppliers in Austria and Germany, and appeared to have genuine packaging.Dr Alison Cave, the organisation’s chief security officer, stated: “Shopping for semaglutide from illegally buying and selling on-line suppliers considerably will increase the chance of getting a product which is both falsified or not licensed to be used within the UK.”She stated injecting such merchandise “could put your well being in danger”.The next energy model of Ozempic has been developed particularly for weight-loss and is marketed as Wegovy. That is being supplied at specialist weight-loss clinics on the NHS within the UK.