After cases of serious side effects from a counterfeit diabetes drug (“Ozempic”) became known, the Association of Austrian Pharmaceutical Wholesalers Phago, the Association of the Pharmaceutical Industry Pharmig and the Austrian Chamber of Pharmacists have re-analyzed the safety measures for medicines in this report. country. The broadcast emphasized that the prevention of counterfeiting in home pharmacies was impossible.
The local federal investigation recently reported on “several people affected”. According to the Federal Bureau of Investigation, “the use of counterfeit products has already led to health risks that could have led to death without immediate medical treatment.” The batch in question was obtained by the people from a doctor in Austria, researchers said. The Steyr Public Prosecutor’s Office is investigating the case. There have already been several house searches. A company that allegedly distributed the drug is located in the Steyr judicial district.
Dangerous product came via Türkiye and Great Britain
Thursday’s joint broadcast emphasized that counterfeit medicines can be excluded within the industry’s official distribution channel – full-fledged pharmaceutical wholesalers – pharmacies. “A counterfeit medicine would never have reached our patient,” was the unanimous opinion. In fact, the product in question was supplied outside the safety net directly from a doctor via Turkey and Britain to an Austrian patient, it was pointed out.
“Counterfeiting has no chance with us”
“We, full-fledged pharmaceutical wholesalers, verify every medicine if we do not purchase it directly from the marketing authorization holder or a supplier directly appointed by him. This is an essential safety barrier before we deliver the medicines to the pharmacies. A counterfeit has no chance with us,” said Bernd Grabner, Vice President of Phago.
Since 2019, every medication package is clearly recognizable by a unique code. “In Austria, prescription medicines may only be dispensed in public pharmacies or doctors’ medicine cabinets. Therefore, avoid any purchase via the Internet,” warned Alexander Herzog, Secretary General of Pharmig. Anyone who orders over-the-counter medications online must do so from a certified pharmacy.
“Ozempic” against severe obesity
The prescription drug “Ozempic” contains the active ingredient semaglutide and is approved for the treatment of patients with type 2 diabetes. The active substance semaglutide in “Ozempic” can also be used as an anti-obesity drug. Manufacturer Novo Nordisk had already announced that there had been a significant increase in illegal online sales. Due to its unintended use, there was already limited availability of “Ozempic” for diabetics.
Source: Krone
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