Verbatim response from Perplexity
The most critical red flag is any online seller offering Ozempic (semaglutide) without requiring a valid prescription, as this is illegal and indicates the product is likely counterfeit [1][2].
Other major red flags to watch for include:
- Strikingly deep discounts or prices "too good to be true": Genuine Ozempic costs significantly more; prices far below market value often signal fake drugs, scams, or counterfeit versions with low purity (as low as 7–14%) [1][2][3].
- Promising compounded versions: While some sellers claim to offer "compounded Ozempic," the FDA has warned against this, and legitimate retailers cannot use the brand name "Ozempic" for compounded products [1][6].
- Shipping claims that contradict drug identification: Websites showing photos of drugs with unique U.S. identification numbers but claiming to ship from Canada are operating illegally [1].
- Copying legitimate manufacturer websites: Some scammers rip off the design of the actual Novo Nordisk (Wegovy/Ozempic) website to appear legitimate, including typos in the URL or incorrect spelling in the company name [1][2].
- Untraceable payment methods: Sellers requesting payment via Zelle, Cash App, gift cards, or cryptocurrency instead of a credit card are often fraudsters [3].
- Nondelivery scams: Some vendors take payment but never ship the product, or request extra payments (e.g., $650–$1,200) to "clear customs" as a fraudulent tactic [2][4].
- Poor or suspicious reviews: A mix of 5-star reviews posted in a short time (often bot-generated) alongside 1-star reviews from unhappy customers is a common sign of a scam [3].
- Lack of medical oversight or contact details: Sellers that do not require a medical evaluation, hide their physical address/phone number, or provide boilerplate company information copied from legitimate sites are unsafe [3][7].
How to verify a safe seller:
- Use the FDA’s tool to search for state-licensed online pharmacies [1].
- Verify the pharmacy on Safe.Pharmacy (run by the National Association of Boards of Pharmacy) [1].
- Ensure the pharmacy has a physical U.S. address and phone number and is registered with the state pharmacy board [6].
- Only buy from licensed, reputable pharmacies that require a prescription and provide clear labeling, expiration dates, and safety disclaimers [2][3].
Avoid any site that promises "rapid results," "no side effects," or claims to be the "best deal found you"—these are classic scam indicators [3][9].