The Therapeutic Items Administration (TGA) is urging the diabetes neighborhood to stay alert following the detection of counterfeit Ozempic-labelled injection pens on the Australian border. These pretend merchandise pose a critical danger to well being and shouldn’t be used beneath any circumstances.
Though the counterfeit pens intently resemble real Ozempic 1mg merchandise, they’re falsely labelled with the batch quantity MPSD916, which has been confirmed as non-genuine by the producer, Novo Nordisk. Along with the pretend batch quantity, typographic inconsistencies, comparable to altered textual content spacing and bolding, have been famous on the packaging.
These counterfeit medicines haven’t been assessed for high quality, security, or efficacy beneath Australian regulation. They might comprise incorrect or dangerous substances, and their use may end up in critical unwanted effects or opposed well being outcomes. This newest alert is separate from a earlier incident in September 2024, which concerned counterfeit Ozempic pens discovered to comprise insulin.
Diabetes Australia is reminding individuals to solely buy drugs from reputable Australian pharmacies. Medicines bought on-line or from abroad sources could also be pretend and usually are not coated beneath the Private Importation Scheme. Importing or supplying counterfeit therapeutic items is illegitimate and endangers public well being.
In case you have a product marked with batch quantity MPSD916, don’t use it. Take it to your native pharmacy for secure disposal. Should you expertise any signs after utilizing an Ozempic product, search medical recommendation instantly and report the problem to the TGA.
We urge the neighborhood to remain vigilant. All the time confirm product claims with trusted sources and keep away from buying drugs or gadgets from unknown on-line sellers.
For extra info, go to the TGA web site or contact Diabetes Australia at [email protected].