“Since September 2021, the number of molecules reported in shortage in two or more countries has increased by 101%. These drug shortages are a recognized driving force for counterfeit or substandard quality medicines and pose the risk of many people seeking to obtain drugs through unofficial means such as the Internet".
This is what the World Health Organization said.
Emblematic, according to the WHO, is the case of the class of drugs which, initially approved for the treatment of type II diabetes, also proved to be effective for weight loss (the so-called GLP-1 analogues).
"Over the past year, the global shortage of products indicated for the management of type II diabetes and sometimes also approved for weight loss - underlines the WHO - has been associated with an increase in reports of counterfeit GLP-1 agonists These doctored versions are often sold and distributed through unregulated outlets, including social media platforms."
For the World Health Organization, the situation risks worsening: "the prolonged shortage of authentic GLP-1 agonist products and the growing circulation of falsified versions will likely have disproportionate consequences on patients with type II diabetes. Health professionals should - observes - respect good prescribing and distribution practices".
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