Recently, an Iowa-based pharma company is dragged in an Ozempic lawsuit, reason? For selling counterfeit Ozempic.

What Is Ozempic?

Ozempic is a popular drug used for diabetes and weight-loss. Its official website notes that a medicine prescribed for people with type 2 diabetes and it comes in injection of .5mg, 1mg, or 2mg. It is injectable along with diet and exercise to improve blood sugar in people with type 2 diabetes.

The website also notes that it is the "first and only medicine in its class (GLP-1) proven to help lower the risk of worsening kidney diseases, kidney failure, and death due to cardiovascular disease in adults who also have chronic kidney disease".

What Happens When You Consume Counterfeit Ozempic?

The presence of fake Ozempic in the market is alarming. They are sold in lower prices, and could cause serious dangers to your life. One of the reasons being that these counterfeit Ozempic drugs may not have undergone the rigorous safety and efficacy testing that genuine medications do.

As per the Shapiro Legal Group, in 2023, incidents involving counterfeit Ozempic led to serious health emergencies in the United States.

ALSO READ: Iowa-based Pharmacy Faces Charges For Selling Counterfeit Ozempic

Three individuals experienced dangerously low blood sugar levels, after using the Ozempic pen. The pen instead contained insulin glargine, a medication used for long-acting blood sugar control in patients with diabetes. As per America's Poison Control Centers, all three of these cases were reported by the same regional poison control center, which meant that there might be a concentrated source of counterfeit Ozempic.

The Health Risks Counterfeit Ozempic Puts You At

Hypoglycemic Shock

This happens when your blood sugar levels drop dangerously low, and leads to confusion, trembling, heart palpitations, and sweating. Counterfeit Ozempic containing insulin instead of semaglutide can induce this condition unexpectedly in non-diabetics.

Coma

It is a deep state of unconsciousness, which can be triggered by severe hypoglycemia.

READ: Weight Loss Drugs Like Ozempic, Mounjaro And Wegovy Under Scrutiny After Deaths And Pancreatitis Reports in UK

Infections

This can happen if you use non-sterile counterfeit Ozempic injections, which can introduce bacteria into the body. The signs could be redness, swelling, pain, itching, and pus at the injection site.

Seizures

This can happen when your counterfeit Ozempic contains insulin. As a result, it your blood sugar can drop and lead to uncontrollable jerking movements, loss of consciousness, and confusion.

How To Identify Counterfeit Ozempic?

The World Health Organization (WHO) has identified that counterfeit Ozempic have few features that consumers must be vary about. These include:

• Lot Number and Serial Number
• Pen's Scale
• Label Quality
• Spelling Mistakes

How To Check Lot Number And Serial Number For Fake Ozempic?

Novo Nordisk, a global health company in its press release noted that Ozempic box that has a lot number PAR0362, and serial number that begins with the first eight digits: 51746517 are not authentic. Novo Nordisk has asked people to report to Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in case they come across counterfeit Ozempic.

How To Check Pen's Scale For Fake Ozempic?

The WHO notes that falsified Ozempic pens may have a scale extending out from the pen when settling the dose. Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA), under the Department of Health, Disability and Ageing, Australia also provides photos of extended pen scale on its website.

How To Check The Label Quality For Fake Ozempic?

FDA has provided photo evidence for consumers to differentiate between a fake and an authentic Ozempic needle, by looking at its label and packaging.

What To Look For?

In Genuine Needle: The paper tab on the needle is imprinted with the needle lot number

In Counterfeit Needle: The paper on the needle is imprinted with the Ozempic product carton lot number

In Genuine Needle: The blue area on the paper tab only contains the lot number and no other text, while the inner needle cover is transparent

In Counterfeit Needle: The blue area on the paper tab has texts written on it and the inner needle cover has a blue transparent color

In Genuine Needle: The paper tab states NovoFine Plus

In Counterfeit Needle: The paper tab states NovoFine

Denying all the claims of bad health, including the recent claims of doctors questioning President Donald Trump's cognitive health, he once again, at 79, has been pronounced in "excellent health".

You May Want To Know: Why Is This Doctor Asking President Trump To Take Alzheimer's Test?

This was a medical evaluation done at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center. White House released a statement by Friday night, confirming the report. His personal physician Dr Sean Barbabella, described the visit as part of the "scheduled follow-up evaluation" and said the president remains "fit for duty".

Barbabella, a US Navy captain, reported that Trump continues to demonstrate strong cardiovascular, pulmonary, neurological and physical performance. The report also emphasized that Trump maintains a "demanding daily schedule without restriction". Not only that, the report has gone so far to declare Trump's cardiac age as 14 years younger than his actual age after an electrocardiogram.

Trump, who sides with the anti-vaxxer RFK Jr., the health secretary, has also received a flu shot, and updated COVID-19 booster during the visit.

Why Did Trump Need Another Checkup So Soon?

Friday's assessment was his second visit to Walter Reed in six months, which has raised questions among medical experts and political observers. Why is it unusual? Typically, US presidents undergo one annual physical, unless an urgent medical issue arises.

Check Out Trump's Last Medical Report: Is Donald Trump ‘Fully Fit’ To Serve As President Of United States?

Jonathan Reiner, who is a cardiologist and once treated the former Vice President Dick Cheney, said, "Are they following up on the swelling that was noted in his legs earlier this year, or are there new concerns?"

However, the latest report mentioned no such swelling or Trump's previously disclosed diagnosis of chronic venous insufficiency - a mild but chronic condition that causes swelling in the legs and is common in older adults.

Read: US President Trump Is Diagnosed With A Chronic Vein Condition, Venous Insufficiency, Confirms White House

White House officials said the visit was routine and aligned with Trump’s “ongoing health maintenance plan.”

Questions Around The Test Results

As per Barbabella, Trump's evaluation including advanced imaging, laboratory testing, and preventive health screening, which was conducted by a team of specialists. the results were "in exceptional conditions". However, many medical experts question on the inclusion of his "cardiac age" and are asking for the results if advanced coronary imaging were conducted.

On the revelation of his cardiac age, former White House physician Jeffrey Kuhlman, who served under Presidents Clinton, Bush, and Obama, said it’s unusual for such data to be highlighted without additional context. “For a 79-year-old, best practice would be to include advanced coronary imaging to evaluate plaque buildup,” Kuhlman said. “The White House said he underwent imaging but didn’t release the results.”

Public Scrutiny Over Trump's Health

Trump is the oldest person ever elected as the US President and so he has long faced public scrutiny over his health. In July, the White house confirmed his chronic venous insufficiency diagnosis after noticing swelling on his leg and a recurring hand bruise, yet there was no mention of it in his health report. Some experts have articulated that this was the result from daily aspirin use and frequent handshaking.

In April, Trump underwent a comprehensive three-page physical, where Barbabella described him as "fully fit" to execute presidential duties, noting his “active lifestyle” and “frequent victories in golf tournaments” as indicators of his fitness. That exam also revealed he had lost 20 pounds since 2020 and scored a perfect 30 out of 30 on a cognitive assessment designed to screen for dementia.

“I don’t know what to tell you other than I got every answer right,” Trump quipped afterward.

Are People Really Surprised by These Reports?

Trump has time and again maintained a tradition of secrecy around his health.

In 2015, he famously dictated a letter claiming he would be “the healthiest individual ever elected to the presidency.” He also concealed his COVID-19 diagnosis in 2020 for several days, reportedly developing a more serious case than initially disclosed.

It is very easy for people to miss signs of declining health. However, many times, despite witnessing the symptoms, people choose to ignore it and hope that it goes away. But one must understand, even for illnesses like a simple fever, one needs some type of treatment, even if it is simply rest. Ignoring your health will only lead to worse problems in the future.

One such aspect of health that people often ignore is their leg health. In a recently posted video, Dr. Rema Malik, a Board-Certified Vascular Surgeon in Houston, explained that people often ignore their leg health, the title of the video being, “You Are Your Worst Enemy When It Comes To Your Leg Health.”

The surgeon highlights a pattern of self-sabotage where people frequently ignore or downplay signals from their legs, which can indicate serious circulation problems.

3 Key Symptoms of Declining Leg Health

According to the surgeon, people become their own worst enemy by creating "normal" excuses for symptoms that are actually abnormal. This dismissal stems from the fear of facing a potential circulation issue. The surgeon points out common examples of how people brush off serious signs:

Calf Cramps: Dismissing a recurring, nagging calf cramp as merely a "charley horse."

Swelling: Attributing swollen ankles at night to simply being "on your feet a lot today."

Varicose Veins: Choosing to hide new, painful varicose veins instead of finding out the underlying cause.

The surgeon stresses that while it feels easier to ignore the "whisper from the legs," the moment a person stops making excuses, they become their own best advocate for a future of easy mobility and freedom.

Why Is Leg Health Important?

According to a 2016 study published in the Journal of Nutrition, Health & Aging, the strength and quickness of leg muscles (leg power) are connected to common long-term health problems in older adults, specifically osteoarthritis (joint pain), diabetes, and cardiovascular disease (heart problems).

The main goal was to see what current research says about how these diseases affect leg power, especially since research suggests that older people with these conditions can improve their leg power through exercise.

The team ended up analyzing 16 studies in total: 5 on osteoarthritis, 5 on diabetes, and 6 on heart disease.

Most studies suggested the same thing: older adults with these chronic diseases generally have lower leg power compared to those who don't have the diseases.

The existing research generally shows that osteoarthritis, diabetes, and heart disease are connected to weaker leg power in older adults.

However, scientists can't make strong conclusions yet because the studies reviewed were too different and didn't use the same ways to measure leg power.

Why You Shouldn’t Dismiss Leg Symptoms Especially After 40?

This pattern of ignoring leg symptoms is risky at any age, but the stakes are significantly raised for individuals over the age of 40.

After 40, the risk of developing progressive vein disease and Peripheral Artery Disease (PAD) increases exponentially. These conditions involve serious circulation problems that worsen over time if left untreated.

The surgeon encourages individuals to shine a light on any leg symptom they have been ignoring.

Although we may not realize, many times the food we eat has hidden additives. Things that make the food taste good as well as addictive. In a recent video, a cardiologist is trying to warn people, asking them to check the labels behind their packaged food.

Dmitry Yaranov, a cardiologist based in Memphis, Tennessee, is trying to warn people that cardiovascular disease (CVD) isn't just caused by bad cholesterol. In a video posted on Instagram, he explained that there's a very common ingredient that's hidden everywhere—in sodas, snacks, sauces, and even foods that claim to be "healthy." This ingredient is a huge danger to your heart and is the main reason why people get diabetes. That dangerous ingredient is sugar.

How Sugar Slowly Increases Your Risk Of CVD?

Dr. Yaranov points to solid research that proves there is a strong link between eating sugar every day and having a much higher chance of getting heart disease.

Daily Servings

The risk goes up just by eating one serving of something sugary (like a soda or a candy bar) each day. That single serving is linked to an 18% higher risk of heart disease. If you have two or more servings a day, the risk jumps to 21% higher. This is a big deal, and the risk was found even in people who regularly exercise.

Processed Foods Link

A study from 2025 showed that eating a lot of sugar, especially the sugar found in ultra-processed foods (packaged snacks, ready meals, etc.), raises your risk for heart disease by 17%, increases the risk of blocked heart arteries by 23%, and raises the risk of stroke by 9%.

Global Impact

The problem is massive worldwide. High sugar eating is responsible for over 1 million new heart disease cases and 2.2 million new cases of Type 2 diabetes in just one year.

Mortality (Risk of Death)

The doctor also mentions a study that found people who got 25% or more of their total daily calories from sugar had more than double the risk of dying from heart disease compared to people who kept their sugar intake low (under 10% of total calories).

How Does Sugar Harm Your Body?

The cardiologist explains that sugar does more than just add unneeded calories; it actually attacks the healthy systems in your body that look after your heart and how your body uses energy.

• It causes inflammation (swelling and irritation) throughout the body.
• It causes your blood pressure to go up.
• It makes your cholesterol levels worse.

It messes up your blood sugar control, making it hard for your body to manage energy. This is a "double hit" because it harms both your heart and your pancreas (the organ that makes insulin).

How Much Sugar Can You Eat?

To help protect your health, the cardiologist advises everyone to follow the simple rules for sugar set by the American Heart Association (AHA):

Women: Should eat no more than 6 teaspoons of added sugar per day, about 100 calories worth.

Men: Should eat no more than 9 teaspoons of added sugar per day, about 150 calories worth.

The big issue is that most people eat two or three times these recommended limits without even knowing it because sugar is hidden in so many foods. The doctor strongly urges everyone to start checking food labels carefully and actively working to limit their sugar intake to keep their heart strong and their blood sugar stable.