In April the Food and Drug Administration  urged patients and doctors to check that their Ozempic prescriptions are legitimate after the agency seized several hundred units of fake versions of the diabetes drug in the U.S. Novo Nordisk, the maker of Ozempic and the weight loss drug Wegovy, told the FDA on April 3 that counterfeit 1-milligram injections were being distributed outside its authorized supply chain in the U.S. That means it likely entered the market through unofficial means, like unauthorized distributors or resellers. The agency and Novo Nordisk are testing the fake products to identify whether they’re safe. Genuine Ozempic can come with side effects, including stomach problems, so it's not clear whether adverse events that were reported were caused by typical use. The fake versions underscore the soaring popularity and demand for the diabetes drug Ozempic, which is often used “off label” for weight loss Suriname's Health Ministry emphasized that people must only obtain medicines at state-licensed pharmacies and that purchases that are made at other places are a health risk. According to the Health Ministry, semaglutide must always be used under medical supervision. “Remain cautious. Protect your health. Only use safe medicines that have been approved. You can contact the Ministry of Health for more information,” said the Health Ministry in a press release.