fraudulent anti-diabetic injector pens are circulating in Europe, warn health authorities

European and French health authorities warned on Monday, October 23, about the circulation of injector pens falsely labeled as Ozempic, a treatment for diabetes misused for weight loss purposes, very popular on social networks. “As a precaution, we call on all players in the supply chain to be vigilant”writes the National Medicines Safety Agency (ANSM) in an information note intended for community and hospital pharmacists

“At this stage, no alert has been reported in France”but he is “important to check the traceability of the serial number” during dispensation, underlines the ANSM. According to the European Medicines Agency (EMA), “pre-filled pens falsely labeled as Ozempic (..) have been identified at certain wholesalers in the European Union and the United Kingdom.”

These fraudulent pens, bearing labeling from Germany, were identified at distributors in Germany, Austria and the United Kingdom, specifies the EMA. The batches of falsified Ozempic showed inactive serial numbers on the scanner, which triggered the alert. The situation is currently being investigated by EU medicines regulators and the police. “There is no indication that falsified pens were issued to patients by pharmacies”however adds the EMA.