Fake weight loss drugs are circulating around Europe and the Americas, according to the World Health Organization on Thursday.

This is the first time the WHO has issued a warning notice on fake semaglutide, the generic version of Ozempic, since 2022.

In October 2023, fake batches of the Novo Nordisk diabetes drug, often used for weight loss, were identified in Brazil and the United Kingdom. In December 2023, more were identified in the United States.

Those prescribed the drug should avoid “unfamiliar or unverified sources, such as those that may be found online,” the WHO said.

The WHO warned that counterfeit Ozempic can be dangerous because the fakes often contain different ingredients, or an entirely different drug.

Skyrocketing demand for Ozempic has created a semaglutide shortage, resulting in a growing market for knock-off drugs. According to survey data from healthcare policy think tank KFF, nearly 1 in 8 U.S. adults has used a GLP-1 drug like Ozempic. Use of similar drugs has risen among children as well.

“WHO advises healthcare professionals, regulatory authorities and the public be aware of these falsified batches of medicines,” Yukiko Nakatani, WHO assistant director-general for essential medicines and health products, said in the organization’s news release. “We call on stakeholders to stop any usage of suspicious medicines and report to relevant authorities.”

“We are actively fighting counterfeit products and pursuing litigation against entities selling counterfeit drugs,” a spokesperson for Novo Nordisk told the Washington Examiner. “Producing counterfeit products and inserting them into the legitimate U.S. supply chain is an illegal activity and puts patients at considerable risk.”

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The spokesperson confirmed that Novo Nordisk provided all relevant batch number information to the WHO for its investigation.

“Part of fighting against any counterfeit activity is working with patients and healthcare professionals to improve education on the responsible use of semaglutide,” the Novo Nordisk spokesperson added. “When counterfeit situations arise, we do our best to ensure that patients know how to identify and report counterfeit products while also educating on the potential risks involved in using them.”