Obesity and Counterfeit Medications: Novo Nordisk Warns of a ‘Public Health Crisis’

Johannesburg – South Africa is facing a significant dual public health challenge — the obesity epidemic and a rise in counterfeit medications. Pharmaceutical leader Novo Nordisk has expressed concern about organized crime networks distributing potentially harmful products under its brand name.

During the Novo Nordisk Wegovy media launch this week at the Radisson Red Hotel in Rosebank, Jonas Lind Hansen, the company’s Director and Head of Legal, Ethics, Compliance, and Quality in South Africa, described the counterfeit drug trade as “a crisis hiding in plain sight” and urged immediate actions to protect patients.

Medical innovation overshadowed by criminal activity

The Danish multinational seized the occasion to announce the South African launch of Wegovy (semaglutide 2.4 mg), a once-weekly injectable prescription medication approved by the South African Health Products Regulatory Authority (SAHPRA) for adults dealing with obesity or overweight, particularly those with at least one weight-related health issue.

Wegovy mimics the GLP-1 hormone, helping to suppress appetite and reduce calorie intake, enabling patients to achieve an average weight loss of 15% when integrated with a healthy diet and exercise.

“This represents a notable milestone in evidence-based obesity treatment,” Hansen highlighted.

“However, that success is jeopardized by counterfeit products that not only fail to aid patients but can actually be harmful.”

He emphasized: “No patient should ever face exposure to an unapproved product — not even one.”

Types of counterfeit medications involving Novo Nordisk products

Novo Nordisk is experiencing an increase in counterfeit medications, which range from direct replicas of its approved products like Wegovy and Ozempic to perilous knock-offs of drugs still in development.

These counterfeits often imitate authentic packaging, including forged branding and regulatory markings, but may have incorrect dosages, incorrect active ingredients, or none at all.

As Jonas Lind Hansen remarked, “It’s one thing to buy fake sunglasses. It’s quite another to purchase counterfeit medications and inject them into your body.

“That’s dangerous, and in some cases, lethal.”

The company has also observed a rise in compounded counterfeits, where unauthorized operators create active ingredients like semaglutide without adhering to proper quality controls.

While legitimate compounding is a regulated practice tailored to individual patient needs, these unregulated alternatives bypass safety standards, posing significant health risks.

According to Hansen, counterfeit networks reach thousands of unsuspecting patients every month.

In a current court case in South Africa, the company estimates that a local compounding operation supplies unapproved medications to over 5,000 patients monthly — with packaging indicating the product is “not approved by SAHPRA.”

Another concern involves mislabeled or adulterated products bearing Novo Nordisk branding but containing entirely different and sometimes harmful substances. International data underscores this risk.

Citing information from the US Food and Drug Administration on compounded GLP-1 products, Hansen stated: “There have been at least 700 cases of severe adverse events requiring hospitalization — and 13 fatalities.”

These figures illustrate the severity of the issue and the potentially deadly consequences associated with counterfeit and improperly compounded medications.

Organized crime and social media misinformation

The illegal market, Hansen warned, often intersects with organized crime.

“Most likely, we are dealing with cartels. Their tactics resemble those of mafia-style operations that exploit individuals’ desperation for weight-loss solutions,” he noted.

Social media significantly contributes to this problem.

“Prescription medicines should not be sourced from a Facebook marketplace or a WhatsApp group,” Hansen stressed.

“They should be obtained through a doctor’s assessment and picked up from a licensed pharmacy.”

He cautioned against the false sense of community that online groups provide, highlighting that these platforms are often rife with misinformation.

“Social media connects us, but it also presents a real risk of disinformation — and that’s a battle we are fighting as vigorously as we can.”

Prioritizing patient safety over profit

For Hansen, the objective is not on reclaiming lost revenue but on saving lives.

“The primary focus must be the health and safety of the public,” Hansen remarked.

“These counterfeit drugs are not necessarily cheap, meaning individuals may be wasting money on substances that offer no benefit — or worse, are harmful.

“The worst counterfeit doesn’t just appear fake — it deprives people of hope, health, and in some cases, their lives.”

Novo Nordisk has launched a dedicated patient resource, The Truth About Weight, which provides verified information on obesity, diet, mental health, and treatment options.

The site also features a “healthcare professional locator” to connect patients with doctors who are committed to treating obesity as a chronic condition and avoiding involvement in counterfeit or illicit compounding.

Obesity as a chronic disease needing respect and regulation

Hansen reiterated the company’s stance that obesity is a chronic, multifaceted illness requiring medical oversight.

“If you sustain a serious cut, you wouldn’t rely on Facebook for advice — you would consult a doctor,” he said.

“Obesity warrants the same seriousness.”

With South Africa facing an obesity prevalence of 68% among women and 31% among men, Hansen urged patients to reject quick fixes and advocate for regulated treatments.

“We will not allow criminals to misuse our good name to sell dangerous products. This is a two-front battle — against a disease and against those who exploit it.”

Sara Norcross, General Manager of Novo Nordisk South Africa, emphasized, “Obesity is not a choice — no one wakes up and decides to be obese. It is a chronic disease, and we must stop reducing it to myths and moral failings.”

How to identify a counterfeit Novo Nordisk product

1. Packaging warnings – Look for details of SAHPRA approval; avoid products labeled “Not approved by SAHPRA”.

2. Purchase source – Only obtain prescription medicines from authorized pharmacies with a valid doctor’s prescription.

3. Excessively easy online ordering – If you can buy without a prescription, it’s likely illegitimate.

4. Unrealistic claims – Be wary of “instant” or “guaranteed” weight loss promises.

5. Product appearance – Look for indicators such as subpar label quality, spelling errors, or missing safety seals.

6. Official validation – Utilize The Truth About Weight website to find certified doctors who do not engage in counterfeit or illicit compounding.

7. Report it – Contact SAHPRA or Novo Nordisk to verify products and report any suspicious sales.