Anyone caught bringing fake Ozempic injection pens into Taiwan could face a prison sentence of up to 10 years with a possible fine of up to NT$100 million (US$3.21 million), the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) said on Sunday after its US counterpart disclosed last week that it had seized thousands of the counterfeit diabetes injection pens.
On Thursday last week, the US Food and Drug Administration said the fake Ozempic pens it had seized were being tested by drugmaker Novo Nordisk and the national medicine regulator, but more might be circulating on the market.
The US’ seizure of the fake drug pens followed reports last month in the EU and the UK of counterfeit units of the drug being found.
Photo: Reuters
An Ozempic pen is a device that is prefilled with the drug semaglutide, which can be used for easy self-injection to help with weight loss in specific patients, to lower blood sugar levels and reduce the risk of major cardiovascular events such as heart attack or stroke in patients with type 2 diabetes.
The FDA said it had stepped up inspections of imported packages, in collaboration with customs officers, and was monitoring illegal drug sales and online purchasing activities.
Anyone found manufacturing or importing counterfeit or prohibited drugs into Taiwan would be subject to a prison sentence of up to 10 years and a potential maximum fine of NT$100 million, it said, citing Article 82 of the Pharmaceutical Affairs Act (藥事法).
The maximum penalty for knowingly selling counterfeit or prohibited drugs, or displaying them with an intent to sell, is seven years in prison and a possible fine of NT$50 million, it said.
It urged the public not to purchase online products from unknown sources, items with unclear labels, or products with exaggerated or misleading claims related to medical efficacy.
The agency said it had granted a license for the importation of Ozempic, and the label of the product should show the name in Chinese and the drug license number. The counterfeit drugs seized in the US would not have that type of labeling and would not be products approved in Taiwan, it said.
People in Taiwan should avoid buying those types of drugs online, from foreign countries or from other distributors, as their safety and efficacy cannot be confirmed under those circumstances, it said.
The agency has approved the use of four types of injection pens: Ozempic, Trulicity, Saxenda and Victoza — all prescription drugs.
Palauan President Surangel Whipps Jr arrived in Taiwan last night to kick off his first visit to the country since beginning his second term earlier this year. After arriving at Taoyuan International Airport at around 6:30 pm, Whipps and his delegation were welcomed by Minister of Foreign Affairs Lin Chia-lung (林佳龍). Speaking to gathered media, the Palauan leader said he was excited and honored to be back in Taiwan on his first state visit to Taiwan since he was sworn in this January. Among those traveling with Whipps is Minister of State Gustav N. Aitaro, Public Infrastructure
President William Lai (賴清德) yesterday thanked Palau for its continued support of Taiwan's international participation, as Taipei was once again excluded from the World Health Assembly (WHA) currently taking place in Switzerland. "Palau has never stopped voicing support for Taiwan" in the UN General Assembly, the WHO and other UN-affiliated agencies, Lai said during a bilateral meeting with visiting Palau President Surangel Whipps Jr. "We have been profoundly touched by these endorsements," Lai said, praising the Pacific island nation's firm support as "courageous." Lai's remarks came as Taiwan was excluded for the ninth consecutive year from the WHA, which is being held in
RESOLUTIONS DEBATE: Taiwan’s allies said that UN and WHA resolutions cited by China and other nations ‘do not determine Taiwan’s participation in WHO activities’ A proposal to invite Taiwan to this year’s World Health Assembly (WHA) was rejected on Monday, resulting in Taipei’s absence from the annual meeting for a ninth consecutive year, although partners spoke up for Taiwan’s participation at the first day of the meeting. The first agenda item after the opening was a “two-on-two debate” on a proposal to invite Taiwan to participate at the WHA as an observer. Similar to previous years, two countries made statements in favor of the proposal, while two others expressed their opposition. Philippine Secretary of Health Teodoro Herbosa, president of the 78th WHA, accepted the WHA General Committee’s
At least three people died and more than a dozen were injured yesterday afternoon when a vehicle struck a group of pedestrians in New Taipei City’s Sansia District (三峽). The incident happened at about 4pm when a car rammed into pedestrians at an intersection near Bei Da Elementary School. Witnesses said the sedan, being driven at a high speed, ran a red light, knocking scooters out of the way and hitting students crossing the road before careening into a median near the intersection of Guocheng and Guoguang streets. The incident resulted in three deaths and 13 injuries, including the driver, a 78-year-old man