Pharma Germany: Warning about dangerous counterfeit drugs for obesity and diabetes sold online

The availability of illegal medicines for obesity and diabetes online is increasing – the European Medicines Agency (EMA) and the Heads of Medicines Agencies (HMA) issued a warning this week. In particular, counterfeit products imitating GLP-1 receptor agonists fail to meet European standards for quality and safety. They pose a serious risk to patient safety.

Pharma Germany fully supports these warnings and urges patients to obtain medicines exclusively through legal and verified distribution channels. “When buying health products, one must be especially cautious. Counterfeit medicines from the internet can endanger health. Beyond the risk of treatment failure, there is also the danger of severe side effects and harmful interactions,” emphasizes Dorothee Brakmann, Chief Executive Officer of Pharma Germany.

Counterfeit products are often promoted on dubious websites and social networks – sometimes even using fake authority logos. Pharma Germany therefore strongly appeals to patients never to obtain prescription medicines from unknown online sources.

Pharmacies provide the only secure option: Thanks to securPharm, every package can be checked for authenticity. “The only safe way to purchase medicines is through the pharmacy. If in doubt, seek advice from your local pharmacist,” Brakmann continues.

Pharma Germany is a member of securPharm e.V., an association that provides an IT system enabling pharmacies to verify the authenticity of medicines and protect the legal supply chain in Germany.