Since the prices of Ozempic have increased in recent months, many people may be looking for cheaper alternatives to control diabetes or lose weight.
Some doctors, as well as the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), warn of the possible dangers of using “wrapping products” of semaglutides, which belong to the GLP-1 class of drugs.
Dr. Brett Osborn, a longtime Florida surgeon who has written prescriptions for these drugs since 2019, said he is “concerned” about the practice.
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“Because of the cost of brand name Ozempic, more and more people are turning to cheaper versions, which are often available online or through unregulated channels,” he told Fox News Digital.
Since the prices of Ozempic have increased in recent months, many people may be looking for cheaper alternatives to control diabetes or lose weight. (REUTERS/Hollie Adams/File Photo)
“These packaging processes are assembled in non-medical settings without the necessary quality assurance or quality control, making them inherently dangerous.”
There is a potential for these drugs to be dangerous if there is no monitoring of their source or manufacturing quality, Osborn warns.
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“When they’re done in uncontrolled environments, there’s no telling what you’re putting into your body.”
Dr. Sue Decotiis, MD, a weight loss doctor in New York City, confirmed that some people are looking for less expensive alternatives, but noted that the potential dangers are becoming more widely known.
“This happened to one of my patients before it came to me,” he shared with Fox News Digital.
There is a possibility that these medicines will be dangerous if there is no monitoring of their source or production quality, warns the doctor. (Stock)
“He got the drug from a pharmacy in Florida and then it stopped working. Weeks later, the pharmacy closed.”
Many illegal dispensaries that aren’t registered by their local board “will just disappear,” Decotiis said.
“You should only use pharmaceutical grade versions prescribed by a licensed physician.”
The biggest risk is that the patient doesn’t know what’s in the ingredients, he warned, as disreputable suppliers may add fillers to the products.
Consider the source
Medicines like Ozempic require “precision in manufacturing,” according to Osborn.
“You should only use medications prescribed by a licensed physician,” he said.
“The risk of these variations is very high, and there is no regulation to ensure that they are done correctly.”
While some online platforms may be legal because a health care provider writes a prescription, there may be other risks associated, the doctor warns. (Stock)
People should be careful when ordering any medicine online, doctors agree.
“Unless you get the medication from a licensed pharmacy with a prescription, buying Ozempic or its knockoffs online is dangerous,” Osborn warns. “You cannot guarantee the product’s source, ingredients or safety.”
“I know many nurses who stock Ozempic products and sell them on their Facebook pages,” he said. “In fact, there’s a huge black market for it.”
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While some online platforms may be legal because a health care provider writes a prescription, there may be other risks associated, Decotiis noted.
“It may be that no personal care or any body composition is followed.”
Uncontrolled shortages of these drugs are also common.
“This is a problem after paying in advance, as many patients have never received the medicines they thought they would receive,” said Decotiis. “The consumer must beware.”
One of the biggest red flags is that an online platform offers direct delivery of the drug, noted Decotiis.
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“If you can buy it directly, it is an illegal place,” he said. “These places are closed every day – who knows what they’re putting out.”
Legally integrated companies only work with doctors, says Decotiis, and don’t talk directly to patients.
Cost saving options
If cost is an issue, there are safer alternatives than buying off-the-shelf brands, experts say.
“Many pharmaceutical companies offer patient assistance programs — your doctor can guide you through those options,” Osborn said.
“There are other prescription drugs that may be more expensive, but they are still safe and effective in lowering insulin levels and driving weight loss,” added the doctor. (Stock)
“There are other prescription drugs that may be more expensive, but they are still safe and effective in lowering insulin levels and driving weight loss,” he added.
One example is metformin, another diabetes drug that has been tested for a long time.
Added Osborn, “You should never turn to unregulated alternatives just to save money.”
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Decotiis acknowledged that it can be “very difficult” for many people to get Ozempic and similar medications.
“These drugs are expensive, it is difficult for many people to get the help they need,” he said.
“You should never turn to unregulated alternatives just to save money.”
“In compounded products, you pay by the ounce, whereas in big pharma, you pay by the monthly supply,” he continued.
“With big pharma, you pay more up front, but as the dosage goes up, it’s actually cheaper.”
Medicines such as Ozempic should only be prescribed by a licensed physician, doctors advise. (Stock)
With compounded medicines, a licensed pharmacist or doctor combines, mixes or alters ingredients to create a medicine that is customized to meet the individual needs of a patient, but it is not approved by the FDA, according to the agency.
“This means that the agency does not review compounded drugs for safety, efficacy or quality before they are marketed,” the FDA said on its website.
‘Safety first’
Osborn stressed that medications like Ozempic should only be prescribed by a licensed physician — “not a nurse via telemedicine visit or a chiropractor.”
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“When used correctly, these drugs are powerful tools, but they can be dangerous in the wrong hands,” he said.
“Always consult a health care provider with proper training and experience in using these medications. Safety first.”
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The FDA and the World Health Organization (WHO) have both investigated cases of counterfeit Ozempic products in the past months and years.
The FDA recommends that retail pharmacies only purchase authentic Ozempic through authorized distributors of Novo Nordisk, the company that makes Ozempic and Wegovy, and that patients only obtain Ozempic with a valid prescription from state-licensed pharmacies. (Stock)
“The FDA is aware that some patients and health care professionals may look to unapproved versions of GLP-1 (glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists) drugs, including semaglutide and tirzepatide, as a way to lose weight,” the agency wrote in a letter. . latest announcement on its website.
“This can be dangerous for patients, as unapproved versions may be reviewed by the FDA for safety, efficacy and quality before they are sold.”
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The FDA recommends that retail pharmacies only purchase authentic Ozempic through authorized distributors of Novo Nordisk, the company that makes Ozempic and Wegovy, and that patients only obtain Ozempic with a valid prescription from state-licensed pharmacies.
Fox News Digital has reached out to Novo Nordisk and the FDA for comment.
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