The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has alerted the public about counterfeit Ozempic circulating in the U.S. Novo Nordisk, the company behind Ozempic and Wegovy, informed the FDA that “several hundred units of counterfeit Ozempic (semaglutide) injection 1 mg” have entered the U.S. drug supply. Ozempic is used for treating type 2 diabetes, while Wegovy is a higher dose version approved for obesity treatment.
According to the FDA, these fake products were distributed outside Novo Nordisk’s authorized channels. On April 9, 2025, the FDA seized the counterfeit products. The agency warns against using any Ozempic labeled with lot number PAR0362 and serial numbers starting with 51746517.
The FDA urges patients, pharmacies, and healthcare providers to check their Ozempic stock for these identifiers. Although there are six adverse event reports related to this lot, none are linked to the counterfeit product, as stated by Novo Nordisk. “At Novo Nordisk, patient safety is our top priority,” said Dave Moore, executive vice president of US operations and President of Novo Nordisk Inc.
The FDA and Novo Nordisk are testing the seized products to verify their identity, quality, and safety. The investigation is ongoing. Dr. Brett Osborn, a Florida neurosurgeon who prescribes semaglutide medications, has highlighted the dangers of buying cheaper, counterfeit versions from non-regulated sources.
Osborn emphasizes the importance of using pharmaceutical-grade versions prescribed by licensed doctors. “These knock-offs are synthesized in non-medical environments without necessary quality assurance,” he warned. He advises caution when purchasing medications online, as the source and safety cannot be guaranteed.
The FDA and Novo Nordisk are currently assessing the seized products to determine their contents. Osborn insists that medications like Ozempic should only be prescribed by qualified physicians, not nurse practitioners or chiropractors via telemedicine. “When used correctly, these medications are powerful tools,” he noted, “but can be dangerous if mishandled.”
It’s crucial to consult healthcare providers with proper training in using these medications. Safety should always be the primary concern. For more information on health-related news, you can visit Fox News’ health section.
Melissa Rudy, the senior health editor at Fox News Digital, contributed to this report. You can reach her at [email protected] for further story tips.
