PRESS RELEASE
FROM THE MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES
Cockburn Town, Turks and Caicos Islands, 2nd May 2025: In response to a U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) alert relating to the identification of hundreds of counterfeit/falsified Ozempic(semaglutide) 1mg injection in the U.S. drug supply chain, the Ministry of Health and Human Services (MoHHS) wishes to alert all pharmacies, other healthcare providers and consumers to be vigilant when procuring this product from online or instore vendors who source this medicine from the US supply chain.
According to the FDA alert, Novo Nordisk – the genuine manufacturer – issued the initial notification revealing that the counterfeit Ozempic was distributed outside their authorised supply chain in the U.S. Medical products are considered counterfeit/falsified when their identity, composition or source are deliberately or fraudulently misrepresented. Ozempic is used to treat hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar) in type 2 diabetes mellitus in adults, adolescents and children over 12 years of age. It is also used to treat obesity.
Importantly, Novo Nordisk revealed that the counterfeit product’s label displays the following:
- lot number PAR0362 (which is authentic) and
- an illegitimate serial number starting with the first eight digits 51746517.
Novo Nordisk has indicated that only when both the lot number and the first eight digits 51746517 are used together should the product be considered counterfeit. Neither Novo Nordisk nor the FDA can confirm the contents or quality of the counterfeit product, which may present a safety risk for patients who use the counterfeit product. Therefore, if used, these counterfeit products may result in the ineffective treatment of patients due to incorrect dosage, contamination with harmful substances, or use of unknown or substituted ingredients. This may pose serious risks – that could be life-threatening – to health because they are administered by subcutaneous injection. Notably, the FDA is aware of six adverse event reports linked with this lot, however, none of them appear to be associated with the counterfeit product.
The Minister of Health and Human Services – Hon. Kyle R. Knowles, and the MoHHS’ top priority is to ensure public health safety and so in light of this update are imploring all wholesalers, retail pharmacies and other healthcare professionals to:
- Examine all Ozempic products received from within the US supply chain.
- Administer, dispense, distributeor sell the counterfeit Ozempic labelled with lot number PAR0362 and serial number starting with the first eight digits 51746517.
- Quarantine all remaining stock(s) of the counterfeit pens for possible disposal by the Environmental Health Department (contact: 338-2142).
- Notify your overseas suppliers for any additional information.
Patients/consumers are encouraged:
- Not to useany counterfeit Ozempic 1mg injection labelled with lot number PAR0362 and serial number starting with the first eight digits 51746517.
- To contact their physicians and/or pharmacist if they have any questions or concerns before using any Ozempic 1mg injection.
- To purchase Ozempic 1mg injection only from authorised pharmacies and not online stores.
- To report any suspected side effects associated with Ozempic 1mg injection via the MoHHS Adverse Drug Reaction Form found at https://gov.tc/docs/ADR.pdf.
For further information, please contact André Morgan, National Pharmacist at: (649)338-3072 or amorgan@gov.tc.
