Counterfeit Obesity Drugs: A Growing Public Health Concern
Background on Ozempic and Mounjaro
Ozempic and Mounjaro are brand names of the 'GLP-1 receptor agonist' class of medicines. These drugs help manage diabetes and obesity by targeting appetite and enhancing satiety, leading to significant weight loss and cardiovascular benefits.
Issue of Counterfeit Drugs
- Fake obesity drugs like counterfeit Ozempic and Mounjaro are causing public health concerns due to high prices, lack of insurance, and a strong desire to lose weight.
- These counterfeit drugs are reported to be on sale in vacation areas in Mexico and border pharmacies with the US.
- Shabbir Safdar, from the Partnership for Safe Medicines, highlighted the unprecedented fraud concerning weight-loss injectables.
Risks and Findings
- Counterfeit drugs often have incorrect dosages, harmful ingredients, or lack active ingredients, risking ineffective treatment and potentially life-threatening complications like hyperglycaemia and cardiovascular issues.
- A 2024 research published in the Journal of Medicine, Surgery and Public Health noted these risks.
- In December 2025, the US FDA issued a warning after seizing dozens of counterfeit Ozempic products.
Global and Regulatory Response
- The WHO reported a spike in falsified GLP-1 receptor agonists in nearly 60 countries, exacerbated by self-diagnosis, self-prescription, and unregulated online sales.
- WHO calls this a significant and growing threat to patient safety and public trust, advising that these drugs should be prescribed by qualified health-care professionals.
Societal Implications
Anthropologist Alexandra Brewis emphasizes the cost and accessibility challenges of these drugs, contributing to stigma and overlooking the realities of living with financial poverty.
