Health Canada has issued a warning advising against the purchase or use of counterfeit or unauthorized versions of GLP-1 medications, including semaglutide found in Ozempic and Wegovy. As the demand for GLP-1 products increases for weight loss purposes, there is a risk that individuals may resort to unauthorized or fake products that have not undergone Health Canada’s safety, effectiveness, and quality assessments.
Authorized versions of these medications in Canada include semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy injections, Rybelsus oral tablets) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro and Zepbound injections). Health Canada has identified several retailers in Canada selling unauthorized GLP-1 products, sometimes labeled as “fauxzempic,” both in physical stores and online. Some websites and social media ads misuse official Health Canada logos and provide false endorsements to deceive consumers.
Health Canada emphasizes that it never endorses health products and prohibits the use of its logo in the promotion or packaging of such products. Unauthorized or counterfeit drugs pose numerous risks, including variations in active ingredient content, inclusion of dangerous or undisclosed substances, presence of contaminants, incorrect labeling, and improper manufacturing or storage.
Injectable unauthorized or counterfeit products carry additional risks such as infections due to lack of sterility, allergic reactions, and other severe consequences due to contamination or unsafe administration. The sale of unauthorized or counterfeit products, as well as making false claims about preventing, treating, or curing illnesses, is illegal in Canada.
Health Canada also highlights potential risks associated with genuine GLP-1 products, including severe gastrointestinal issues, pancreatitis, worsening kidney function, and low blood sugar, especially when combined with other medications. To stay safe, individuals are advised to purchase prescription drugs only from licensed pharmacies, avoid unauthorized products, check for the eight-digit Drug Identification Number (DIN) on labels, consult with healthcare professionals in case of concerns, be cautious while buying drugs online, and report any adverse effects or complaints to Health Canada.
Health Canada is actively monitoring the market and can take action, such as seizing products or issuing compliance warnings, against the sale and advertising of unauthorized products. The regulatory body collaborates with the Canada Border Services Agency to prevent unauthorized shipments from entering the country. In a related development, the World Health Organization had previously alerted about falsified semaglutides detected in Brazil, the United Kingdom, and the U.S. in June 2024.