Health warning issued over fake OZEMPIC batches that may possibly be in Guyana

The Government Analyst-Food and Drug Department (GA-FDD) has issued an urgent consumer alert about fake batches of OZEMPIC that may possibly be on the local market.

In a statement, the Department said its alert is based on information provided by the World Health Organization (WHO), regarding three falsified batches of OZEMPIC (semaglutide).

Ozempic is a drug to treat diabetes, which has also been found to lead to weight loss.

The statement noted that the falsified products have been detected in Brazil (October 2023), the United Kingdom (October 2023), and the United States of America (December 2023) and were supplied within regulated supply chains.

Guyana is among the countries that may be affected by the distribution of the fake medication.

The Batch carrying the number LP6F832 is not recognized, and additionally, the combination of batch number NAR0074 with serial number 430834149057 does not correspond to genuine manufacturing records. The statement said Batch number MP5E511 is genuine, but the product is falsified.

The use of falsified OZEMPIC may result in ineffective treatment of patients due to incorrect dosage, contamination with harmful substances, or use of unknown or substituted ingredients. It poses serious health risks because of its subcutaneous injection administration, which could be life-threatening, the release warned.

The Government Food and Drug Analyst Department also reminded that OZEMPIC (semaglutide) is not registered in Guyana, and therefore should not be marketed locally.

Consumers are reminded that it is unsafe to use an unregistered medicine that has not been given the necessary approvals by the GA-FDD.

Healthcare professionals and the general public are being encouraged to report any suspected cases of adverse events related to the use of this falsified medicine to the Government Analyst Food and Drug Department or the product’s manufacturer, distributor, wholesaler, or retailer.

For further information and updates on this alert, please contact the GA-FDD at 222-8934, 222-8859, 222-8860, on Facebook at Government Analyst Food and Drug Department, or visit our website at gafdd.gy.