FDA Issues Alert: Concerns Related to Taking Unapproved GLP-1 Receptor Agonist Drugs
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) has issued an alert about the potential risks of using unapproved versions of glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1) receptor agonist drugs for weight loss. In addition, the agency recommends that health care providers exercise caution when establishing appropriate doses, titration, and dosing schedules for patients taking compounded semaglutide and tirzepatide products. Individuals […]
Read More ›Compounded Topical Finasteride Products Associated With Serious Risks, Warns FDA
Compounded topical finasteride products have been associated with serious potential risks, warns Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in a news release. Between 2019 and 2024, 32 reports were submitted to the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System regarding patients experiencing symptoms such as erectile dysfunction, anxiety, suicidal ideation, and brain fog associated with using compounded versions […]
Read More ›PSM Urges to Check Lot Number and Serial Number on Ozempic Injection Products
The Partnership for Safe Medicines (PSM) is urging health care providers to check the lot number and serial number of Ozempic® (semaglutide) 1 mg injection products, as counterfeit versions of the product have been found in the supply chain. Even though counterfeit injection products and authentic Novo Nordisk products have the lot number PAR0362, the […]
Read More ›Impersonation Scam Directed at Pharmacists, DEA Warns
Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) is warning pharmacists and doctors of fraudsters impersonating DEA agents and demanding sensitive information or payment. Legitimate DEA agents will only communicate with individuals about investigations or legal actions in person or via an official letter. Scam tactics may include using an urgent and aggressive tone, threatening arrest, referencing National Provider […]
Read More ›Poison Control Centers Report Sharp Increase in Calls Related to Semaglutide Medications
Pharmacists and stakeholders should be aware of a significant increase in calls to poison control centers related to semaglutide products used for diabetes and weight loss. From January to November 2023, poison centers reported nearly 3,000 calls involving semaglutide, a more than 15-fold increase since 2019. The majority of calls resulted from dosing errors, with […]
Read More ›Tranexamic Acid Injection Added to ISMP’s List of High-Alert Medications
Tranexamic acid injections have been added to the Institute for Safe Medication Practices’ (ISMP’s) 2024 List of High-Alert Medications in Acute Care Settings. “High-alert” medications have an increased risk of causing significant harm to patients when they are incorrectly administered. ISMP recommends that practitioners implement safeguarding measures to minimize the risk of error when dispensing […]
Read More ›FDA Warns Pharmacies to Inspect Ozempic Product Information for Signs of Counterfeits
Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is warning retail pharmacies, health care professionals, wholesalers, and patients to check their Ozempic® (semaglutide) products’ lot and serial numbers to avoid purchasing counterfeit versions. Products with the lot number NAR0074 and serial number 430834149057 should not be used or distributed. FDA testing revealed that the needles in the sampled products […]
Read More ›FDA Warns of Fraud Pertaining to Distribution of Ozempic, Other Medications
Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA’s) Office of Criminal Investigations has identified cases where wholesalers (licensed and unlicensed) are offering to sell Ozempic® with large discounts. In some instances, the investigation has revealed it to be a “No-Delivery Scheme,” where the purchaser would make payment and not receive the product. In other instances, the product offered […]
Read More ›Counterfeit Ozempic Found in US Retail Pharmacy
Novo Nordisk, the manufacturer of Ozempic® (semaglutide injection), is alerting consumers that a counterfeit version of Ozempic, which reportedly contained insulin glargine instead of semaglutide, was purchased in a retail pharmacy in the United States. Ozempic is a diabetes treatment that has gained widespread popularity as a weight loss drug, spurring a black market for […]
Read More ›PCSC Warns of Additional Product Ordering and Recall Fraud Incidents
The information published in this column was provided by the Healthcare Distribution Alliance Pharmaceutical Cargo Security Coalition. Healthcare Distribution Alliance Pharmaceutical Cargo Security Coalition (PCSC) is warning the pharmacy industry of several product ordering/recall fraud incidents, several of which have resulted in losses. To help licensees be aware of current trends, PCSC notes the following: Several […]
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