Greg's Corner

Online Ozempic sales pose a threat to consumers

By Greg Collier

Ozempic is a brand name medication used to treat type 2 diabetes. It is typically used in conjunction with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar control in adults with type 2 diabetes.

During clinical trials for Ozempic’s approval for diabetes treatment, researchers noted that participants experienced weight loss as a side effect. This observation prompted further investigation into the potential use of Ozempic specifically for weight management.

Some healthcare professionals may prescribe medications off-label, meaning for a purpose other than what the drug was initially approved for. This has led to a rush on Ozempic prescriptions for patients who do not have diabetes, and only want the medication for quick weight loss. However, Ozempic has not been officially approved by the Federal Food and Drug Administration for weight loss. This has led to a shortage of the medication, which is negatively affecting diabetes patients.

When a drug like this becomes popular, especially for the sake of vanity, scammers and counterfeiters will try to separate those seeking the drug for its off-label effects from their money. This is a scam that is as old as the internet. If you were online during the late 1990s and early 2000s, you probably had your spam folder flooded with offers for cheap Viagra. While we haven’t seen offers for Ozempic in our inboxes, they have been posted all over social media and less reputable online marketplaces.

If someone were trying to buy Ozempic from a fraudulent service, the odds are they would pay their money and get nothing in return. In a worst-case scenario, consumers could receive any kind of concoction they would end up injecting into their systems.

Some of these phony services even go as far as having the buyer undergo a virtual consultation with one of the scammers posing as a doctor.

Even if someone were to receive an actual shipment of Ozempic, if they’re not using it under a real doctor’s care, the effects could be devastating. Using too much Ozempic could lead to hypoglycemia, pancreatitis, and kidney injuries, just to name a few.

These scam services are also having their customers pay through some of the usual avenues preferred by scammers, such as payment apps like Venmo and cryptocurrency.

Ozempic, like any prescription medication, should only be used under the direction of your physician. Using medications without proper medical supervision can be risky and may lead to adverse effects.

Self-prescribing or obtaining Ozempic without a prescription can pose serious health risks and is not recommended. Always consult a healthcare provider to determine the most suitable and safe approach to weight management.