Pharmacists have warned against buying fake weight loss jabs online as shortages of Ozempic persist in the UK.
The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) said patients were risking their health over a possible “explosion in the unlicensed sale of medication online” on Monday.
This is as stocks of Novo Nordisk (NYSE:NVO)-made Ozempic are expected to remain squeezed in UK pharmacies until late December, according to the trade body.
“Stocks of Ozempic are very depleted in community pharmacies in the UK and it is important that these remain prioritised for those in the most clinical need,” NPA chairman Nick Kaye commented.
“Given the precarious state of supply of this and other vital medication, there is a much greater risk of people looking to order in supplies from disreputable online vendors.”
Ozempic is offered through the NHS for type-two diabetics, given it can be used to help regulate blood sugar levels.
Similar to Novo’s Wegovy, the drug can also help suppress people’s appetites, prompting use by weight loss patients.
“Wegovy stocks aren't too bad at the moment,” Kaye added, “it's Ozempic that is problematic”.
He warned many may end up searching elsewhere for the drugs as a result, leading to a rise in off-label jabs being used, which in some cases have been endorsed by celebrities online.
“In the UK, we do have regulated and safe online supply in place,” Kaye said.
“We're not saying all online [sales] should be banned but we want to make sure it's the right type of organisation and accredited.”