Drugs that are registered for the treatment of diabetes, if used for weight loss, can lead to health risks and reduce the availability of therapy for those who really need it.
This was stated to "Vijesti" by the Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (CInMED), when asked about the availability and possible abuse of popular drugs for type 2 diabetes, which have recently been advertised by influencers and promoted as an effective means of losing weight.
"The drug 'ozempic' in strengths of 0,25 mg, 0,5 mg and 1 mg was registered, i.e. it received a marketing authorization in Montenegro, in January 2022, for the treatment of type 2 diabetes and with an approved prescription regimen. It has been on the Montenegrin market since August this year, when it has been available for prescription and dispensing to patients. As for the drug "mounjaro", no application for registration has been submitted to the Institute so far, and this drug does not have a marketing authorization in Montenegro," the director of the Institute replied. Snežana Mugoš.
She announced that more than 80 drugs with approved indications for the treatment of type 2 diabetes have been registered in Montenegro.
"There are numerous therapeutic options available on our market, including different types of insulin and their derivatives, modern injection therapies such as synthetic peptides, as well as a wide range of oral medications that affect the regulation of blood sugar levels through different mechanisms of action. This variety of medications allows doctors to tailor the therapeutic approach to each patient, in accordance with modern recommendations and guidelines for the treatment of diabetes," said Mugoša.
Asked whether they record drug abuse, she said that prescribing medication in accordance with approved indications is the responsibility of doctors, while pharmacists in pharmacies are required to dispense the medication in accordance with the approved dispensing regimen.
"The Institute is not responsible for controlling prescribing practices, nor for supervising the dispensing of medicines in pharmacies, and therefore we do not have data on the possible misuse of these medicines."
Mugoša pointed out that these drugs are primarily intended for patients with diabetes, and that their use outside of approved indications, including use for the purpose of weight loss, can carry health risks and reduce the availability of drugs to those who really need them.
"Although the Institute is not responsible for control and supervision in the field of prescribing practice and dispensing of medicines in pharmacies, we continuously appeal for the rational and responsible use of medicines, in the manner approved in the summary of product characteristics and patient instructions, which are approved by the Institute in the drug registration process and which are available on our website," said Mugoša.
The European Medicines Agency (EMA) issued a new warning in September about the rise in illegal sales of medicines containing semaglutide and tirzepatide, which are advertised as ozempic, wegovy or mounjaro. The EMA said in the warning that in recent months there has been a sharp increase in illegal medicines, often sold via social media or fake online pharmacies, without a prescription and medical supervision. Regulators warn that many of these products are counterfeit or of unknown composition, which can pose a serious risk to the health of citizens.
Deutsche Welle announced late last month that it had received support from celebrities such as Elon Musk i Serena Williams has made weight loss drugs a popular part of mass culture, and the demand is so great that it fuels the trade in often dangerous, counterfeit products.
In the US alone, 12 percent of the population reported using weight loss injections in the past year.
“Demand is also growing in European countries: in the UK, for example, a survey showed that 21 percent of people had gone online or directly to a pharmacy in the past year to obtain weight-loss drugs. Germans, for example, were also willing to use these drugs, even if they had to pay for them themselves,” the newspaper report said.
Interpol claims that weight loss drugs make up a growing proportion of counterfeit and unapproved medicines intercepted around the world.
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