Novo Nordisk warns consumers about counterfeit Ozempic® (semaglutide) injection 1 mg in the US

The seized counterfeit products feature lot number PAR0362 and illegitimate serial numbers beginning with the first eight digits 51746517 (illustrated above). Lot number PAR0362 is an authentic lot number. Only when both the lot number is coupled with the eight digits 51746517, it is counterfeit and should not be used.

As the investigation continues, further analyses, including extensive visual examination and chemical testing of the seized, counterfeit product is underway. Accordingly, neither Novo Nordisk nor FDA can confirm the contents or quality of the counterfeit product, which may present a safety risk for patients who use the counterfeit product.

WHAT TO DO: GUIDANCE FOR RETAILERS AND CONSUMERS
Retail pharmacies are advised to purchase authentic Ozempic^® (semaglutide) injection 1 mg and other semaglutide-containing medicines through authorized distributors of Novo Nordisk. Pharmacies are encouraged to review the photographs and information provided above. If there are any concerns about whether your batches are authentic, please call Novo Nordisk customer care at 1-800-727-6500 Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM EST.

Patients should double-check their Ozempic^® box to see if it has the lot number PAR0362, and serial number beginning with the first eight digits, 51746517. These products are deemed counterfeit and should not be used. It is important to note that lot number PAR0362 is an authentic lot number. It is counterfeit product only when that lot number has those eight digits in the serial number.

Patients are encouraged to only acquire authentic Novo Nordisk Ozempic^® (semaglutide) injection 1 mg through pharmacies and to check the product for any signs of counterfeiting before using.

• If a prescription is filled via a legitimate retailer who uses our authorized distributors, Novo Nordisk believes the risk of receiving counterfeit medicine is minimized. Patients should check the batch number of the product as described above and below.
• If you are in possession of a counterfeit product, you are highly encouraged to:
  • Report suspicious Ozempic^® product with serial number beginning with the first eight digits, 51746517 or other suspected Novo Nordisk counterfeit products, or if patients need additional help determining if a Novo Nordisk product is counterfeit, please call Novo Nordisk customer care at 1-800-727-6500 Monday through Friday from 8:30 AM to 6:00 PM EST. 
  • Report it directly with FDA here: Report Suspected Criminal Activity (fda.gov). 
  • Report any side effect to FDA's MedWatch Safety Information and Adverse Event Reporting Program (1-800-FDA-1088 or www.fda.gov/medwatch) as well as to Novo Nordisk, using the same customer care number (1-800-727-6500).

Websites selling counterfeit and/or tampered medicines should be reported to FDA. Suspected counterfeit products may be reported to FDA by calling your local FDA consumer complaint coordinator or by reporting it directly here Report Suspected Criminal Activity (fda.gov). 

Learn more about the responsible use of semaglutide-containing medicines, how to spot counterfeit products and the significant safety and health risks associated with compounded or knock-off "semaglutide" at www.semaglutide.com.

About Novo Nordisk
Novo Nordisk is a leading global healthcare company that's been making innovative medicines to help people with diabetes lead longer, healthier lives for more than 100 years. This heritage has given us experience and capabilities that also enable us to drive change to help people defeat other serious chronic diseases such as obesity, rare blood, and endocrine disorders. We remain steadfast in our conviction that the formula for lasting success is to stay focused, think long-term, and do business in a financially, socially, and environmentally responsible way. With a US presence spanning 40 years, Novo Nordisk US is headquartered in New Jersey and employs over 10,000 people throughout the country across 12 manufacturing, R&D, and corporate locations in eight states plus Washington DC. For more information, visit novonordisk-us.com, Facebook, Instagram, and X.

Contacts for further information

SOURCE Novo Nordisk, Inc.