Alert from the European Medicines Agency and the European network of Heads of medicines agencies (HMA). In a communication, they warn that in recent months there has been a sharp increase in the number of illegal medicines marketed as GLP-1 receptor agonists, such as semaglutide, liraglutide and tirzepatide for weight loss and diabetes.

AIFA reiterates that the structure of the national legal production and distribution chain makes it virtually impossible for counterfeit products to infiltrate the market, as they are only distributed through illegal channels such as unauthorised websites and platforms. Purchasing these products is dangerous and poses a serious health risk.

However, it should be emphasised that, to date, thanks to the control systems in place in the legal supply chain, there have been no reported cases of counterfeit products infiltrating the Italian distribution system.

Please find the EMA/HMA statement in the related documents.