With the price of Ozempic rising in recent months, many people may be looking for cheaper alternatives to manage diabetes and weight loss.
Some doctors, along with the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA), have warned of the potential risks of using “counterfeit brands” of semaglutide, which belongs to the GLP-1 class of drugs.
Dr. Brett Osborn, a Florida neurosurgeon and longevity physician who has been prescribing pharmaceutical-grade versions of these drugs since 2019, called the trend “concerning.”
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“The brand name Ozempic is expensive, so more people are turning to cheaper knock-offs, often found online and through unregulated channels,” he told Fox News Digital.
With the price of Ozempic rising in recent months, many people may be looking for cheaper alternatives to manage diabetes and weight loss. (Reuters/Holly Adams/File Photo)
“These counterfeit products are synthesized in non-medical settings without the necessary quality assurance or quality control and are inherently risky.”
Mr Osborne warned that these medicines could be harmful if their sources and production quality were not monitored.
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“Products that are made in an unregulated environment don't know what you're putting into your body.”
Dr. Sue Decotis, a weight loss doctor in New York City, acknowledged that some people are seeking lower-cost alternatives, but noted that their potential dangers are becoming more widely known.
“This happened to one of my patients before he came to see me,” she told Fox News Digital.
Doctors warned that these medicines could be harmful if their sources and quality of production are not monitored. (St. Petersburg)
“He got medication at a pharmacy in Florida, but the medication stopped working. After a few weeks, the pharmacy closed down.”
Decotis said many illegal pharmacies that are not recognized by the state's local pharmacy board “just disappear.”
“You should only use pharmaceutical-grade versions prescribed by a qualified physician.”
The biggest risk, she warned, is that patients are completely unaware of the drug's ingredients, as unreputable health care providers may add fillers to the product.
consider the source
Osborn said drugs like Ozempic require “manufacturing precision.”
“You should only use pharmaceutical-grade versions prescribed by a qualified physician,” he said.
“The risks of these variants are too high and there are no regulations to ensure they are manufactured properly.”
While some online platforms may be legal because a medical provider writes the prescription, there may be other risks associated, the doctor warned. (St. Petersburg)
Doctors agree that you should be careful when ordering medications online.
“It is dangerous to purchase Ozempic or its counterfeit products online unless you obtain the drug from a licensed pharmacy with a valid prescription from your doctor,” Osborne warned. “We cannot confirm the origin, ingredients, or safety of the product.”
“I know some nurses who have stockpiled Ozempic knockoffs and are selling them on their Facebook pages,” he pointed out. “There's essentially a huge black market for it.”
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While some online platforms may be legal because medical providers write prescriptions, there may be other risks associated, Decotis noted.
“Maybe personalized care and body composition aren't being followed.”
Shortages of these unregulated medicines are also common.
“This is a problem after prepayment because many patients don't get the medicine they thought they would get,” Decotis said. “Buyers need to be aware of that.”
One of the biggest red flags, Decotiis points out, is when an online platform offers to ship medicines directly.
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“If you can buy directly, it's an illegal site,” she pointed out. “These sites are shut down every day. No one knows what they're actually distributing.”
Decotis said legal conglomerates only work with doctors and do not communicate directly with patients.
Cost reduction options
Experts say if cost is a concern, there are safer options than buying copy brands.
“Many drug companies offer patient assistance programs, and your doctor can guide you through those options,” Osborn said.
“There are other prescription medications that are more affordable, yet safe and effective at lowering insulin levels and promoting weight loss,” the doctor added. (St. Petersburg)
“There are other prescription drugs that are more affordable, yet safe and effective at lowering insulin levels and promoting weight loss,” he added.
One example is metformin, another proven diabetes drug.
Mr Osborne added: “Under no circumstances should you rely on unregulated alternatives just to save money.”
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Decotis acknowledged that Ozempic and similar drugs can be “very difficult” to obtain for many people.
“These drugs are expensive, making it difficult for many people to get the treatment they need,” she says.
“Under no circumstances should you turn to unregulated alternatives just to save money.”
“With compounded products, you pay by the ounce; with big pharma, you pay by the monthly supply,” she continued.
“For big drug, you pay more upfront, but it actually gets cheaper as you get more doses.”
Doctors advise that drugs like Ozempic should only be prescribed by doctors who are qualified to write prescriptions. (St. Petersburg)
For compounded drugs, a licensed pharmacist or physician combines, mixes, or changes ingredients to create a customized drug that meets a patient's individual needs, the agency said. It is said that it has not been obtained.
“This means that the agency does not review compounded drugs for safety, effectiveness, or quality before they are marketed,” the FDA says on its website.
“Safety first”
Osborne reiterated that drugs like Ozempic should only be prescribed by a doctor qualified to write the prescription, “not by a nurse or chiropractor via telemedicine.”
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“These drugs are powerful tools when used correctly, but they can be dangerous in the wrong hands,” he says.
“Always consult a health care provider with appropriate training and experience regarding the use of these medications. Safety first.”
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Both the FDA and the World Health Organization (WHO) have been investigating counterfeit Ozempic products in recent months and years.
The FDA requires that retail pharmacies purchase genuine Ozempic only through authorized distributors of Novo Nordisk, which manufactures Ozempic and Wigoby, and that patients only obtain Ozempic with a valid prescription through a state-licensed pharmacy. We recommend that you do so. (St. Petersburg)
“The FDA has announced that some patients and healthcare professionals may be considering unapproved versions of GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide 1 receptor agonists) drugs, such as semaglutide and tirzepatide, as options for weight loss. “We are aware of this,” the agency wrote in a statement. Recent announcements on the website.
“Unapproved versions have not been reviewed by the FDA for safety, efficacy, and quality before being marketed, which can be dangerous for patients.”
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The FDA requires that retail pharmacies purchase genuine Ozempic only through authorized distributors of Novo Nordisk, which manufactures Ozempic and Wigoby, and that patients only obtain Ozempic with a valid prescription through a state-licensed pharmacy. We recommend that you do so.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Novo Nordisk and the FDA for comment.
