The World Health Organization (WHO) has issued a medical product alert regarding falsified semaglutides, medications commonly used for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and obesity in some countries. The alert highlights the detection of three falsified batches of semaglutide products in Brazil, the United Kingdom, and the United States in 2023. The WHO Global Surveillance and Monitoring System has reported an increase in falsified semaglutide products in various regions since 2022, leading to the issuance of this official notice.
The Assistant Director-General for Access to Medicines and Health Products at WHO, Dr. Yukiko Nakatani, has urged healthcare professionals, regulatory authorities, and the public to be vigilant about these falsified medicines. The increased demand for semaglutide products has led to shortages, making them targets for falsification. These falsified products pose significant health risks as they may lack necessary ingredients or contain undeclared substances, leading to unmanaged blood glucose levels or other complications.
While semaglutides are not part of WHO-recommended treatments for diabetes due to their high cost, they are increasingly being prescribed for weight loss. The cost barrier associated with these medications makes them unsuitable for public health approaches aimed at ensuring broad access to medicines. Affordable alternatives for diabetes management with similar effects on blood sugar and cardiovascular risk are available, making semaglutides less essential for mass-scale use in resource-limited settings.
WHO is currently developing guidelines on the potential use of GLP-1 RAs, which include semaglutides, for the treatment of obesity in adults and a comprehensive model of care. GLP-1 RAs are a class of medicines used to lower blood sugar and support weight loss in diabetes treatment. Individuals using semaglutides are advised to purchase medications with prescriptions from licensed physicians, avoid purchasing from unverified sources, and ensure proper storage and usage as prescribed.
Patients should always check medication packaging and expiry dates, especially when buying injectable semaglutides, which should be stored in the refrigerator. Any notifications regarding falsified medicines can be reported to WHO through the email address [email protected]. By taking individual actions to verify medication authenticity and following proper storage and usage guidelines, individuals can protect themselves from the harmful effects of falsified medicines and ensure their health and safety.
