NEW YORK: A cybersecurity firm, BrandShield, has taken down more than 250 websites that were found to be selling counterfeit versions of popular weight-loss and diabetes drugs belonging to the GLP-1 class. The revelation was made by the company’s CEO, Yoav Keren, in an exclusive interview to Reuters.
According to Keren, out of a total of 279 pharmacy websites shut down by BrandShield last year for illegally selling medications intended to treat metabolic conditions, over 90% were found to be connected to GLP-1 medicines. These drugs, including Novo Nordisk’s Ozempic and Wegovy, as well as Eli Lilly’s Mounjaro and Zepbound, were originally developed for type 2 diabetes but have gained popularity for their effectiveness in aiding weight loss by reducing food cravings and slowing down stomach emptying.
The surge in demand for these medications has led to a thriving global market for counterfeit versions, with fake GLP-1 drugs being sold on illicit online platforms. Reports of harm linked to counterfeit Ozempic and other GLP-1s have surfaced in at least nine countries, including Belgium, Britain, Switzerland, and the United States.
Expressing concern over the situation, Keren warned that criminals may exploit the growing popularity of these drugs to sell more counterfeit versions, posing serious risks to unsuspecting consumers.
The takedown of websites selling bogus GLP-1 drugs accounted for just over 15% of the 1,655 websites reported by BrandShield last year for peddling counterfeit medications in various categories, including hormone-related drugs, central nervous system medicines, and cancer treatments.
