“By the end of January, at least 22 fatalities linked to the use of these weight loss drugs had been reported. An additional 60 deaths were recorded among patients taking medications for type 2 diabetes,” writes the publication, referencing the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
According to the agency, nearly 400 Britons have been hospitalized since these drugs became available.
It is estimated that around 500,000 Britons are currently using these medications. Common side effects include nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. However, some doctors are warning about severe complications such as seizures or intestinal obstruction.
“Kursiv” reported that in 2024, Russians spent 5.9 billion rubles on purchasing domestic generics of the drug “Ozempic.” The original medication for diabetes patients and rapid weight loss was no longer supplied to Russia as of December 2023. Representatives from Russian pharmacies explained the increased demand for Ozempic generics due to their affordability. For instance, the price of a pack of “Semavik” was initially 26% lower than that of the Danish drug.