Venezuela’s health watchdog issues alert against unauthorised Glyxon tablets falsely marketed for treating chronic metabolic diseases, amid a global surge in illegal and counterfeit medicines for diabetes and weight loss.
Venezuela’s autonomous health watchdog has warned against what it described as an irregular advertising campaign for Glyxon tablets, saying the product is being promoted with illegal claims that it can treat chronic metabolic diseases. The agency said the tablets have not been authorised for such use and that the publicity should be removed immediately.
In a statement, the Servicio Autónomo de Contraloría Sanitaria said there is no clinical research or scientific evidence showing that Glyxon is safe or effective for those purposes. It also urged people not to abandon prescribed treatment in favour of products that lack scientific backing.
The warning comes amid broader international concern over unapproved and falsified medicines marketed for diabetes and weight loss. The US Food and Drug Administration regularly issues fraud alerts on products with hidden ingredients and has warned against illegally sold diabetes treatments, while the World Health Organisation has also flagged falsified semaglutide medicines detected in several countries. The European Medicines Agency and medicines regulators in Ireland have reported a sharp rise in illegal GLP-1 products sold online, often through fraudulent websites and social media.
Those agencies say the risks are not limited to ineffective treatment. Counterfeit or unauthorised medicines can contain dangerous substances, unknown ingredients or inconsistent doses, creating serious health hazards for people seeking alternatives to proper medical care.
Disclaimer: This content is for informational purposes only and is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical judgment, advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
