The board consequently informed the public that Ozempic Pens are currently not registered or authorized by the Board to be placed in the Kenyan market.Â
The Pharmacy and Poisons Board (PPB) has warned Kenyans against the purchase and use of Ozempic Pens (Semaglutide) to treat type 1 and type 2 diabetes.
PPB in a statement on Thursday, July 18 revealed that it had received an alert from the International Criminal Police Organization (INTERPOL) regarding the falsification of Ozempic Pens (Semaglutide) where Apidra Solostar pens (glulisine) used to treat both types 1 and type 2 diabetes has been falsely relabelled as Ozempic (Semaglutide) Pens.
The board consequently informed the public that Ozempic Pens are currently not registered or authorized by the Board to be placed in the Kenyan market.
“Therefore, any product being marketed as Ozempic Pens is illegally in the market and the Board cannot ascertain their safety, quality and effectiveness,” the statement read in part.
A building housing Interpol headquarters. /POLITICO.EU
To safeguard public safety, the Board has initiated a rapid response and heightened surveillance to verify whether the falsified Ozempic (Semaglutide) Pens is presently circulating in the Kenyan market.
“The Board cautions the public and healthcare professionals AGAINST trading, distribution, wholesaling, retailing, issuing, dispensing, use or administration to patients of the falsified Ozempic (Semaglutide) Pens, as such actions are illegal and jeopardise public health and safety,” added the statement.
PPB encouraged members of the public and healthcare professionals to immediately share any information regarding Ozempic pens with the board.
The Board affirmed its commitment to protecting the health of the public and encourages the public to remain vigilant at all times and promptly report any suspected cases of sub-standard/falsified health products or adverse drug reactions.
According to the official website, Ozempic pens, when taken as directed, once-weekly, along with diet and exercise, may help lower blood sugar for adults with type 2 diabetes.
Ozempic (semaglutide) injection 0.5 mg, 1 mg, or 2 mg is an injectable prescription medicine used:
- along with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar (glucose) in adults with type 2 diabetes.
- to reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack, stroke, or death in adults with type 2 diabetes with known heart disease.
“It is not known if Ozempic can be used in people who have had pancreatitis. Ozempic is not for use in people with type 1 diabetes. It is not known if Ozempic is safe and effective for use in children under 18 years of age,” the website explains.
The use of Ozempic may cause serious side effects, including possible thyroid tumours, including cancer. it is thus recommended that you alert your healthcare provider if you get a lump or swelling in your neck, hoarseness, trouble swallowing, or shortness of breath. These may be symptoms of thyroid cancer.
In studies with rodents, Ozempic and medicines that work like Ozempic caused thyroid tumours, including thyroid cancer. It is not known if it will cause thyroid tumours or a type of thyroid cancer called medullary thyroid carcinoma (MTC) in people.Â
People are also advised not to share their Ozempic pens with other people, even if the needle has been changed, as they may give other people a serious infection, or get a serious infection from them.
An image showing the difference between a genuine and falsified Ozempic Pen. /PHARMACY AND POISONS BOARD