A growing demand for diabetes medications Ozempic and Mounjaro is being reported across Italy, despite being intended for treating type 2 diabetes-and requiring a prescription for legal purchase. Driven by their weight loss effects, use of the drugs is rising among individuals seeking quick results, prompting concern from health officials about unregulated online sources and potential health risks. Recent cases, including one in Padua where a woman fell into a coma after unknowingly injecting insulin purchased online, highlight the dangers of obtaining these medications outside of proper medical channels.
Pharmacies across Italy are reporting a surge in demand for medications like Ozempic and Mounjaro, originally designed for type 2 diabetes, as individuals seek weight loss solutions. The medications are typically purchased with a prescription, though some attempt to obtain them without one.
The pursuit of a perfect physique has led to a growing trend in Italy: the use of medications like Ozempic and Mounjaro. These drugs were initially developed to treat type 2 diabetes – a condition for which they are covered by the national healthcare system – and have since been utilized for weight management. While a prescription is always required to purchase these medications, demand is soaring, with many seeking them even if they only need to lose a small amount of weight, because, as people say, “they work.”
The Veneto region is experiencing this increased interest in what some are calling “the drug of American stars,” and beyond. “There is significant demand,” confirms Andrea Bellon, president of Federfarma, “each pharmacy sells an average of ten boxes a month, which is considerable given the price.” The medications are most popular among middle-aged customers, with a slight majority being women. Younger individuals and seniors are less common purchasers. Most patients arrive with a prescription from a specialist – such as an endocrinologist, diabetologist, or nutritionist – to whom they’ve turned for serious and controlled weight loss plans.
The potential risks associated with this trend are a concern. “The problem lies in the many people who don’t consult a specialist but are persuaded by word of mouth,” warns Bellon. “And if they can’t obtain a prescription – even from their general practitioner – or don’t want to go through official channels, they turn to the internet and unregulated online pharmacies that sell everything. Without realizing they are seriously jeopardizing their health, because you can’t be sure that the packages purchased online actually contain what they claim, and in the correct dosage. They are often counterfeit.”
A case in Padua illustrates the dangers. A 31-year-old woman purchased “Ozempic” from a wellness website and, after injecting it into her abdomen as directed, fell into a hypoglycemic coma. The vial didn’t contain semaglutide, the active ingredient in the medication, but insulin. She was saved only because family members were present and immediately called emergency services. Mounjaro, the latest drug in this class, is based on tirzepatide and has been shown to result in a 22.5% weight loss after one year, compared to 16.9% with Ozempic and Wegovy, another formulation.
“It’s true, they work, but they must be taken under medical supervision and with proper storage,” emphasizes the president of Federfarma. “They need to be kept at a temperature between 36°F and 68°F (2°C and 8°C). Occasionally, someone tries to obtain them without a prescription, or asks for a discount, which is, of course, unsuccessful. Much of the enthusiasm stems from the fact that patients who have been discouraged after trying everything without success now have access to truly effective medications.”
Two high-profile examples illustrate the growing attention these drugs are receiving: the mayor of Rio de Janeiro, Eduardo da Costa Paes, lost 66 pounds with Ozempic and has promised to distribute it for free to obese individuals if re-elected. The British Health Minister, Wes Streeting, has suggested making it freely available to those with severe obesity, which costs the public health system the equivalent of $16.8 billion annually. Approximately one in eight Americans and millions worldwide, including in Italy, are now using these medications. However, potential side effects, such as nausea and eye problems, including serious ones, should be considered.
