THE National Health Surveillance Agency (Anvisa) issued a new alert on Tuesday night (29) about the counterfeiting of Ozempic pens from insulin pens. Understand below what motivated the publication.
The Brazilian regulatory agency stated that it had received a statement from the company responsible for the biological product Ozempic (semaglutide) – Novo Nordisk – about evidence that Fiasp FlexTouch insulin pens have been re-adhesive and reused with Ozempic labels.
Ozempic is an injectable medication indicated for the treatment of type 2 diabetes that has also gained popularity due to its effects on weight loss.
The alleged fraud remains under investigation. THE Civil Police investigate the alleged sale of fake medicine after a woman was hospitalized in serious condition in Rio de Janeiro.
Anvisa also published an image indicating the differences between Ozempic and insulin pens (see above). Furthermore, it listed general guidelines to be observed.
General guidelines for the population and healthcare professionals
In the alert, Anvisa advises that the population and healthcare professionals pay attention to the characteristics of the packaging and the product and that they only purchase complete products (inside the box), in pharmacies regulated by the Health Surveillance and always with the issuance of an invoice .
“Dbe wary of websites and channels for marketing medicines that use brand names or that adopt sales applications and social networks to offer products, and do not purchase medicines offered in message groups”, says a note published on the agency’s website.
Main indications of fraud (according to information from Novo Nordisk)
- The Ozempic® pen is light blue, with a gray application button. Fiasp® insulin pens are dark blue in color, with an orange button.
- Medication packaging that is torn or visibly alteredin a foreign language, with a pharmaceutical appearance (presentation) different from that registered and with incorrect information about the product — Ozempic® 1mg is only sold in pre-filled injectable pens.
- Prices well below those charged in the regular pharmacy and drugstore market.
- “New formula” stickers and indications or similar information – Novo Nordisk has not launched any new Ozempic® formula since its arrival on the market in 2019.
- Ozempic® 1mg pens with numbers on the dose selector different from 0mg and 1mg.
According to the statement from New Nordiskin case of doubts about the points of sale or if suspected counterfeit units of medicines are identified, the population or healthcare professionals should not use the product.
This content was originally published in Understand new warning from Anvisa about Ozempic falsification on the CNN Brasil website.
Source: CNN Brasil
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