Tag

Counterfeit Drugs

All articles tagged with #counterfeit drugs

health-and-legal10 days ago•1 min saved

Indian nationals charged in Florida over counterfeit Ozempic smuggling ring

The U.S. Department of Justice unsealed an indictment against two Indian nationals, Swapnadip Roy and Vicky Ramancha, for allegedly smuggling counterfeit Ozempic from China to U.S. distributors. The scheme, which ran from July 2023 to April 2024, continued even after the FDA seized fake units and issued public warnings. Roy was extradited from Italy to face charges in Florida, while Ramancha remains at large. If convicted, both face up to 71 years in prison.

via CNBC|

#counterfeit-drugs #doj #fda

technology6 months ago•12 min saved

Tiny Fingerprint Test Could Detect Counterfeit Pills in Low-Resource Settings

A technique called Disintegration Fingerprinting records a pill’s dissolution signal as it breaks up in water, using a simple setup (cup, stir plate, microcontroller, servo, IR sensor). In tests on 32 products, it correctly flagged counterfeit or adulterated pills in 90% of cases and could even distinguish generics from brand-name meds, offering a low-cost QA/QC tool for drug distribution—though it requires a known-good reference and misses about 10% of products.

via Hackaday|

#counterfeit-drugs #disintegration-fingerprinting #drug-quality-control

crime8 months ago•16 min saved

80-year-old lottery winner jailed in £288m counterfeit-drug network

Four men, including an 80-year-old lottery winner, were jailed for almost 50 years after police exposed an ‘industrial-scale’ operation in Wigan to manufacture and distribute counterfeit diazepam; the gang used premises behind the leader’s home and a rented shipping container to churn out tens of thousands of tablets per hour, with firearms seized and the drugs valued at about £288 million on the street.

via Global News|

#counterfeit-drugs #crime #diazepam

health2 years ago•2 min saved

WHO and Eli Lilly Combat Surge of Fake Weight Loss Drugs

The World Health Organization has issued a global alert about counterfeit versions of Ozempic, a drug primarily used to treat type 2 diabetes but also popular for weight loss. The fake drugs, which have been seized in the UK, US, and Brazil, pose significant health risks as they may not contain the active ingredient semaglutide or could contain other medications like insulin. The WHO advises sourcing the drug only through reputable channels to avoid these dangers.

via BBC.com|

#counterfeit-drugs #health #ozempic

health2 years ago•2 min saved

Eli Lilly Fights Counterfeit Mounjaro and Ozempic in Pharmacies

Eli Lilly has filed lawsuits against six entities, including medical spas and wellness centers, for selling counterfeit versions of its diabetes drug Mounjaro, which contains tirzepatide. The company warns that these unapproved versions pose safety risks to patients. Demand for GLP-1 drugs, including Mounjaro, has been high, leading to limited availability. The FDA has also cautioned against the use of compounded versions of these drugs.

via Reuters|

#counterfeit-drugs #eli-lilly #fda

health2 years ago•2 min saved

"FDA Chief Warns of Deadly Scam: Fake Weight Loss Drugs Flood Online Market"

FDA Commissioner Dr. Robert Califf has raised concerns about the sale of fake weight loss drugs online, particularly compounded and counterfeit versions of GLP-1 agonist drugs like Ozempic and Mounjaro, which are approved for treating type 2 diabetes and obesity. The drugs, in high demand due to their weight loss effects, have experienced shortages, leading some users to seek alternatives online. The FDA has issued warning letters to online vendors for selling illicit versions of these drugs, emphasizing the risks of consuming unregulated and potentially harmful medications.

via Fox Business|

#counterfeit-drugs #fda #glp-1-agonist

health-pharmaceuticals2 years ago•3 min saved

"Rising Concerns: Fake Ozempic Linked to Life-Threatening Hypoglycemia Cases in the US"

Three cases of hypoglycemia in the US were linked to suspected fake versions of Novo Nordisk's diabetes drug Ozempic, with one case involving a compounded version. Explosive demand for Ozempic and similar drugs for weight loss has fueled a global market for counterfeit versions. Austrian and Lebanese health authorities also reported cases of hypoglycemia linked to suspected fake Ozempic. The FDA is investigating these cases, and Novo Nordisk reported finding some samples of compounded semaglutide to be impure.

via Reuters.com|

#counterfeit-drugs #diabetes #health-pharmaceuticals

health-pharmaceuticals2 years ago•4 min saved

"Fake Ozempic Triggers Life-Threatening Hypoglycemia Cases in the US"

Three Americans were hospitalized with life-threateningly low blood pressure after injecting themselves with suspected fake versions of the diabetes drug Ozempic, leading to concerns about the nationwide shortage of the drug and the availability of counterfeit versions online. The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is investigating the cases, and warnings have been issued about the dangers of purchasing Ozempic from unlicensed sources. Reports of fake Ozempic pens have also emerged from other countries, with some cases resulting in hospitalization due to hypoglycemia.

via Daily Mail|

#counterfeit-drugs #fda #health-pharmaceuticals

health2 years ago•3 min saved

FDA Cracks Down on Counterfeit Ozempic Amidst Soaring Demand

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has seized "thousands of units" of counterfeit Ozempic, a drug manufactured by Novo Nordisk, due to high demand. The FDA warned patients to check their product and discard it if labeled with the lot number NAR0074 and serial number 430834149057. The counterfeit Ozempic has caused five reported cases of illness, although none were serious. The fake product includes faulty needles, posing an increased risk of infection. Novo Nordisk is working with the FDA to test the seized products. Ozempic, originally designed to treat Type 2 diabetes, has gained popularity for its weight-loss effects.

via New York Post |

#counterfeit-drugs #diabetes #fda

health2 years ago•1 min saved

FDA Cracks Down on Counterfeit Ozempic, Seizing Thousands of Units

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has seized "thousands of units" of counterfeit Ozempic, a type 2 diabetes drug, from the US drug supply chain. The FDA warns suppliers, pharmacies, and patients to be cautious and double-check their semaglutide products. Five people have become ill, but none of the cases have been serious. The agency and drugmaker Novo Nordisk are testing the counterfeit products to determine their safety and composition. The FDA advises patients to obtain their medication only from state-licensed pharmacies with a valid prescription. The popularity of Ozempic and its sister medication, Wegovy, has led to reports of knockoff versions being sold at salons and through social media. The FDA is working with federal agencies and Novo Nordisk to remove additional counterfeit products.

via CNN|

#counterfeit-drugs #diabetes #fda

health2 years ago•1 min saved

FDA Alerts Public to Counterfeit Ozempic Diabetes Drug

The FDA has issued a warning about counterfeit versions of Novo Nordisk's diabetes drug Ozempic that have been found in the drug supply chain. The agency has seized thousands of units and is currently testing the products to determine their identity, quality, and safety. The counterfeit injections pose a risk of infection due to the uncertainty of their sterility. The FDA has urged distributors, pharmacies, healthcare practitioners, and patients to check their supply and avoid using or selling units labeled with specific lot and serial numbers. Demand for Ozempic and its obesity counterpart, Wegovy, is exceeding supply, leading to restrictions on certain doses in the US market.

via NBC News|

#counterfeit-drugs #diabetes #fda

health2 years ago•10 min saved

Cracking Down on Counterfeit Drugs: Big Pharma's Battle Against Fraud

Federal investigators have uncovered a nationwide $230 million scheme to counterfeit prescription medications, particularly HIV drugs, in which pill bottles were altered and sold back to pharmacies at a significant discount. The operation, overseen by Lazaro Hernandez, involved altering bottles for popular HIV medications such as Biktarvy and Descovy, as well as other pharmaceuticals. The World Health Organization estimates that up to $431 billion worth of drugs are counterfeited worldwide annually. Gilead Sciences and Johnson & Johnson have filed lawsuits against defendants, including pharmacies and wholesale pharmaceutical distributors, accusing them of participating in the scheme. Drug diversion and counterfeiting pose a significant risk to patient safety, and authorities are investigating the extent of these criminal activities.

via CNBC|

#big-pharma #counterfeit-drugs #drug-diversion

health2 years ago•4 min saved

Dangerous Consequences: The Perils of Online Counterfeit 'Skinny Drugs'

A single mother from Oxfordshire, England, nearly died after injecting herself with a counterfeit weight-loss drug she purchased online. Michelle Sword, 45, collapsed and suffered a seizure when her blood sugar dropped to dangerously low levels. She had previously tried the drug legitimately in 2020 and found it effective for weight loss. However, after gaining weight again, she decided to obtain the medication without a prescription. Sword warns others against purchasing drugs online and urges them to go through legitimate means. Her story comes after health authorities warned of the rise in fraudulent weight-loss drugs, with some containing insulin instead of the intended active ingredient.

via New York Post |

#counterfeit-drugs #health #health-risks

health2 years ago•2 min saved

"Lebanon's Ozempic Scare: 11 Cases of Hypoglycemia Linked to Suspected Counterfeit"

Eleven people in Lebanon experienced dangerously low blood sugar levels, with one requiring hospitalization, after injecting suspected fake versions of Novo Nordisk's diabetes drug Ozempic. The Lebanese Ministry of Public Health suspects the drugs are counterfeit due to differences in dosage compared to authentic Ozempic injector pens. Counterfeit Ozempic has been found in at least 17 countries, prompting warnings to pharmacies and consumers. Investigations are ongoing to identify the source and batch numbers of the fake drugs. Novo Nordisk has created a guide to help healthcare providers spot fake drugs. Lebanon has a high obesity rate, which is closely linked to type 2 diabetes.

via Reuters|

#counterfeit-drugs #diabetes #health

health2 years ago•2 min saved

Beware of Fake Weight Loss Jabs: Brits Hospitalized

Health officials in the UK have issued an urgent safety alert after fake weight loss jabs, specifically counterfeit Ozempic pens, were found on the black market. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has seized 369 counterfeit pens since January, with some individuals being hospitalized and left in comas after using them. The agency warns against purchasing pre-filled weight loss pens without a prescription, as they do not meet safety standards and pose significant health risks. Authorities are urging the public to report any suspicious products and cracking down on illegal online suppliers.

via The US Sun|

#black-market #counterfeit-drugs #fake-weight-loss-jabs