Fake diabetes medication and equipment on the rise in Canada, experts warn
Global News
Recently, Diabetes Canada says it has received a surge in calls and emails from people with diabetes who saw and even purchased fraudulent medical products online.
From oral drops falsely marketed as GLP-1 alternatives to unauthorized smartwatches claiming to monitor blood sugar without a single finger prick, a wave of fraudulent diabetes-related products are popping up on Canadian websites, prompting urgent warnings from health officials.
Recently, Diabetes Canada says it has received a surge in calls and emails from people with diabetes who saw and even purchased fraudulent medical products online.
The fake diabetes products often feature false endorsements, misusing logos from the Canadian government, Diabetes Canada and Obesity Canada.
“Over the last few months, Diabetes Canada has received a spike in calls and emails to our info and referral team from people with diabetes who saw or bought a fraudulent diabetes-related medical product,” Laura Syron, president and CEO of Diabetes Canada, said in an online statement on May 22.
“As someone who lives with Type 2 diabetes, I know how distressing it would be to buy something that claimed to help manage your blood sugar levels, only to have it turn out to be a scam.”
The organization emphasized that it doesn’t endorse any medical products, and any ads claiming otherwise are completely fraudulent. These misleading claims include so-called “GLP-1 oral drops,” fake blood glucose monitors and even full websites pretending to be connected to Diabetes Canada.
Obesity Canada also spoke out after discovering that a company was illegally using its logo and photos of its founder, Dr. Arya Sharma, to sell a supplement falsely advertised as a GLP-1 alternative for weight loss.
“Let us be absolutely clear: Obesity Canada does not endorse any commercial products, supplements, or programs,” the organization said on its website.
