Counterfeit Epidemic: The Dire Impact on Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly Drugs

The demand for Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly's weight loss and diabetes drugs has led to counterfeit autoinjector pens entering the market. These fakes carry similar branding and batch numbers to authentic products. Patients can verify their drugs by searching batch numbers online or consulting the WHO. Alerts have been issued in various countries.

The soaring demand and premium prices for Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly's weight loss and diabetes medications have incited a surge in counterfeit autoinjector pens. These fake products are often indistinguishable from the real ones, carrying identical branding and batch numbers to mislead consumers.

If patients suspect they've purchased off-brand versions of drugs like Ozempic, they can verify batch numbers online through World Health Organization or national health authority databases. Batch numbers, which necessitate scrutiny, can be found on both legitimate and counterfeit versions of medications, either on the packaging box or the autoinjector pen itself.

In response, Novo and Lilly have released guides to help patients identify counterfeit versions and report them. The WHO has flagged multiple batch numbers this year connected to fake Ozempic sightings in countries like Brazil, the U.S., and Austria. Recently, more counterfeit alerts have surfaced, involving batch numbers found in at least 10 countries, with specific cases reported in Guatemala.

(With inputs from agencies.)