Diabetes business: US study shows risks of illegal online pharmacies
Ozempic and Wegovy are very popular for losing weight, which also attracts criminals. A US study warns of the risks of buying counterfeit products online.
Weight loss injections are very popular with many celebrities and influencers.
(Image: MillaF/Shutterstock.com)
A US study warns of the risk posed by illegal online pharmacies selling counterfeit versions of Novo Nordisk's Ozempic and Wegovy drugs containing the active ingredient semaglutide without a prescription. These are used to treat type 2 diabetes and for weight loss.
In addition, the long-term effects have not yet been researched, wie the medical journal reports. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the World Health Organization, among others, have already warned against counterfeit products in the past, as they pose a risk to patients.
The study was conducted in collaboration with the University of California in San Diego, among others. The researchers scraped search engine results in the summer of 2023 and collected more than 1000 links, 317 of which led to online pharmacies. Almost half of the websites (134 websites) belonged to illegal online pharmacies. 763 links were websites that did not offer products for sale, but belonged to news and information websites and 148 were telemedicine websites where patients can receive advice or prescriptions.
Test purchases from six online retailers
The researchers ordered products from six online stores on a test basis. These were classified as not recommended or fraudulent by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy, for example. The prices for the smallest dose and quantity were between 113 and 360 US dollars. Order confirmations were sent via WhatsApp or email.
(Image:Â Ashraf et al.)
According to the researchers, only three out of six products purchased were delivered. On several websites, it was possible to order Semaglutide without a prescription.
(Image:Â heise online)
According to the study, some of the sellers also demanded additional payments of between 650 and 1,200 US dollars to allegedly clear customs, which customs authorities confirmed to the researchers as fraudulent.
Adulterated products
According to the study, laboratory testing revealed that all the Semglutide products were significantly lower in purity at – 7 to 14 percent versus the reported 99 percent. The products sold as Ozempic also showed clear differences from the genuine products, including clear deviations from the regulatory information, correct labeling and indications that the products were probably not registered. In each sample, the active ingredient content exceeded the amount stated on the packaging by 29 to 39 percent.
This study underlines the risk associated with buying medicines from illegal online pharmacies. The researchers emphasize the need for improved drug monitoring, including the risks associated with online purchases.
Counterfeit products
In Germany and Austria, meanwhile, drug authorities are grappling with counterfeit weight loss products, most notably Ozempic. The Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (BfArM) provides detailed information on the development of Ozempic counterfeits on its own website. Attempts were made to bring such counterfeits into circulation. They are difficult to recognize and contain insulin instead of semaglutide, which poses a considerable health risk. According to the BfArM, no further counterfeit packs were discovered in the legal distribution chain in Germany. Furthermore, the securPharm system helps to prevent the distribution of counterfeits. In 2023, counterfeits had already reached patients in Austria.
(mack)
