Global alert issued over fake weight loss and diabetes drugs

An authentic Ozempic needle (left) and a counterfeit needle (right) (FDA via AP)

The World Health Organisation and US drug manufacturer Eli Lilly have warned people to be wary of fake versions of popular weight loss and diabetes medicines.

The WHO said on Thursday that it has received reports of fake semaglutide — the active ingredient in Novo Nordisk’s Wegovy and Ozempic — in all regions of the world since 2022.