Hundreds of websites are selling fake Ozempic

The rise in popularity of weight-loss and diabetes drugs like Ozempic (a GLP-1 medication) has led to a surge in counterfeit versions being sold online. Dr. Wharton, a Toronto-based obesity medicine specialist, notes that while counterfeiting is common with popular drugs, the scale of fake Ozempic is unprecedented.

BrandShield, a cybersecurity firm working with pharmaceutical companies, reported taking down over 250 fake Ozempic-selling websites and 1,600 fake online pharmacies in 2023—90% of which were pushing counterfeit GLP-1 drugs. Experts warn that counterfeit drugs are a growing threat, especially as demand for these “miracle” weight-loss treatments continues to skyrocket, driven in part by celebrity influence. While effective, doctors emphasize these drugs require long-term use and aren’t a simple solution for weight loss.

Read the full story on CBC news.