Ozempic fakes: How criminals are using this technique to spread dangerous drugs

Criminals can get hold of batch numbers through a corrupt connection at a drugmaker’s manufacturing facility, or just by buying the drug and using scanning technology to copy the packaging.

In December, Drew, a 36-year-old man from San Antonio, Texas, drove more than 250 miles (400 km) to Mexico to buy cheap Ozempic to help him lose weight. Going home, he checked the pens. They looked unusual, so he shared photos on social media. The verdict: They were fakes.