Fake ozempic injections put lives at risk as low-income patients unknowingly fall victim to dangerous knockoffs.
As this popular Type 2 diabetes drug gains fame as a weight-loss aid, rising counterfeit threats pose serious risks—especially to low-income patients.
The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an urgent warning about the presence of counterfeit Ozempic injections, a widely used medication for treating type 2 diabetes that has also become increasingly popular for weight loss.
According to the FDA, hundreds of fake units have already been identified on the U.S. market, sparking growing concern among healthcare professionals and patients alike.
Pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Ozempic, alerted the agency on April 3 that 1-milligram injections were being distributed outside of their authorized supply chain.
These counterfeit versions are believed to have entered the market through unauthorized distributors or resellers, creating a significant public health risk.
On April 9, the FDA seized several hundred counterfeit Ozempic units labeled with lot number PAR0362 and serial numbers beginning with 51746517.
While six adverse event reports have been linked to this lot, none have been definitively tied to the counterfeit versions. Nonetheless, both the FDA and Novo Nordisk are actively testing the products for safety concerns.
The agency also warned that even authentic Ozempic can cause gastrointestinal issues and other side effects, which complicates the process of identifying and assessing harms from fake injections.
The alarming rise in counterfeit Ozempic highlights the drug’s surging popularity—not only as a diabetes treatment but also for its off-label use as a weight-loss aid. The spike in demand has also driven up interest in similar drugs like Wegovy, also produced by Novo Nordisk.
In December 2023, the FDA had already warned the public about thousands of counterfeit Ozempic units potentially still in circulation. These incidents coincide with the spread of compounded versions of the drug—custom-mixed formulations made by specialized pharmacies, often sold at lower prices.
Although compounded versions are legally allowed only under certain conditions (such as drug shortages), the FDA declared in February 2025 that shortages of Ozempic and Wegovy were officially resolved—making many compounded and cheaper alternatives no longer permissible.
This counterfeit medication crisis is especially dangerous for low-income communities in cities like Los Angeles, where access to affordable and reliable healthcare is already strained. Many residents turn to discount pharmacies, unregulated online sellers, or “alternative” channels to afford expensive medications like Ozempic—putting them at greater risk of unknowingly purchasing counterfeit drugs.
High drug prices, combined with tariffs on imported medications (as recently proposed by former President Trump), only compound the issue. When legitimate options become unaffordable, vulnerable populations are left with limited, riskier choices. This creates a dangerous feedback loop where economic pressure increases health risks and healthcare inequities deepen.
In light of the growing threat, the FDA urges both patients and healthcare providers to verify the authenticity of Ozempic prescriptions. The agency recommends only purchasing the drug from authorized distributors and checking lot numbers and serial codes on packaging.
This situation underscores the urgent need for strict oversight in pharmaceutical supply chains, especially as the demand for weight-loss and diabetes treatments continues to climb.
The FDA and Novo Nordisk are working closely to protect public safety and prevent further distribution of unauthorized products.
