Rising Counterfeit Crisis: Global Shortage of Diabetes Drugs Sparks Health Warnings

The World Health Organization (WHO) has raised concerns over the global shortages of popular diabetes medicines that are also being used for weight loss. This shortage has been linked to an increase in reports of suspected counterfeit drugs. These drugs, known as GLP-1 agonists, include Novo Nordisk's Ozempic, Eli Lilly's Zepbound and Mounjaro, and Novo's Wegovy.

The WHO highlighted that these fake versions of the drugs are often sold through unregulated outlets, including social media platforms, posing serious health risks. These falsified medical products may be ineffective, cause toxic reactions, or be contaminated due to being produced in unhygienic conditions by unqualified personnel.

The demand for Ozempic and similar drugs has surged due to their efficacy in weight loss, leading to a global market for counterfeit versions. This rise in counterfeit drugs has had real-world health impacts. In the United States, three people sought medical treatment in 2023 for dangerously low blood sugar levels after taking suspected fake versions of Ozempic. Similar incidents were reported in Austria and Lebanon, where people experienced hypoglycemia after taking suspected counterfeit Ozempic, with some cases requiring hospitalization.

GLP-1 agonists, initially developed for type 2 diabetes treatment, are known to reduce food cravings and slow stomach emptying, aiding significant weight loss in clinical trials. However, the U.S. faced a supply-demand mismatch for these drugs in 2023, a trend expected to continue as manufacturers work to expand their production capacities.

Lilly's CEO David Ricks recently indicated that the supply of Zepbound might not meet the demand this year. Novo Nordisk also projected ongoing supply constraints for Wegovy into 2024. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) lists most dosages of Wegovy and one dosage of Lilly's Mounjaro as in shortage.

The WHO warns that prolonged shortages and the circulation of counterfeit versions could disproportionately affect type 2 diabetes patients. It advises purchasing medicines from authorized, regulated suppliers and urges healthcare professionals to adhere to good prescribing and distribution practices.