Europe's largest listed company Novo Nordisk shares advisory for Americans on Ozempic drug that Elon Musk captioned his Christmas photo on

In a major crackdown, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) seized hundreds of counterfeit Ozempic injections on April 9, 2025, amid growing concerns over unregulated and fake versions of the popular diabetes and weight-loss drug. Europe’s largest drugmaker, Novo Nordisk, warned that these counterfeit units were circulating outside its authorized supply chain in the United States, posing potential risks to patients. Ozempic, chemically known as semaglutide, has skyrocketed in demand due to its effectiveness in treating diabetes and aiding weight loss. Novo Nordisk is also Europe's largest company by market cap.
The drug, also the active ingredient in Novo’s weight-loss drug Wegovy, gained further attention when Tesla and SpaceX CEO Elon Musk revealed on Christmas 2024 that he used a similar medication, Mounjaro, to shed pounds. In a festive social media post captioned “Ozempic Santa,” Musk joined a growing list of public figures openly discussing their use of GLP-1 agonists, a class of drugs hailed as a breakthrough for obesity and diabetes management.
The FDA is now investigating the seized counterfeit Ozempic injections, conducting visual examinations and chemical testing to determine their identity, quality, and safety. Neither the FDA nor Novo Nordisk has released further details about the fake drugs’ composition or potential dangers. Novo Nordisk has urged pharmacies to source Ozempic only from authorized distributors and advised patients to inspect their medication for signs of tampering or counterfeiting before use.

The rise in counterfeit Ozempic comes amid a broader surge in unregulated and compounded versions of semaglutide-based drugs, fueled by their popularity. On April 24, 2025, Novo Nordisk won a significant legal battle to halt certain compounding pharmacies from selling knockoff versions of its GLP-1 drugs, reinforcing its efforts to protect patients and maintain supply chain integrity.
As the investigation continues, the FDA and Novo Nordisk are emphasizing the importance of vigilance to ensure the safety of patients relying on these life-changing medicatio

On Christmas 2024, Elon Musk posted a photo of himself on Twitter dressed up in a Santa costume, captioning the picture, "Ozempic Santa." "Technically, Mounjaro, but that doesn't have the same ring to it," he added. Musk's post highlighted just how mainstream weight-loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy have become in recent years as public figures openly admit to using them, helping transform perceptions and conversations around weight loss.
Mounjaro, Ozempic, and Wegovy belong to a trending class of medications called GLP-1 agonists, that is widely regarded as transformative for those battling obesity and diabetes, and at risk of heart attack or stroke. Elon Musk is among the latest high-profile figures to openly share their use of weight-loss drugs.