VITOR HUGO BATISTASÃO PAULO, SP (FOLHAPRESS) - Weight-loss pens manufactured in Paraguay and sold as versions of tirzepatide (active ingredient in Mounjaro) do, in fact, contain the substance, points out an independent analysis carried out by researchers from Unicamp (State University of Campinas) at the request of Folha. The samples analyzed were also not mixed with semaglutide (active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy).
Weight-loss pens from Paraguay have an active ingredient equivalent to that of Mounjaro, shows analysis by Unicamp
VITOR HUGO BATISTASÃO PAULO, SP (FOLHAPRESS) - Weight-loss pens manufactured in Paraguay and sold as versions of tirzepatide (active ingredient in Mounjaro) do, in fact, contain the substance, points out an independent...
The study analyzed the presence, concentration and molecular structure of the active ingredient in samples of the medicines Tirzedral, TG, Lipoless, Tirzec and Gluconex, produced by the Paraguayan laboratories Catedral, Indufar, Eticos, Quimfa and Lasca, respectively.
The analysis, however, did not evaluate the presence of impurities and contaminants, nor the effectiveness and safety of the medicines.
All Paraguayan pens have valid registrations with Dinavisa, Paraguay's health authority, but not with Anvisa (National Health Surveillance Agency) and, therefore, are prohibited in Brazil.
Anvisa states that analysis by qualified laboratories is valuable, but that there is a considerable risk of false positives (approvals of products that do not comply with quality criteria) and false negatives (disapprovals of products that comply with quality criteria).
UNDERSTAND
The medicines were purchased by the reporter between May 13th and 15th through sellers who advertise on TikTok, Instagram and WhatsApp. The Paraguayan samples were sent to CIATox (Toxicological Information and Assistance Center) at Unicamp on June 1, along with samples from Mounjaro, for reference of tirzepatide, and from Ozempic, to check if there was a mixture of semaglutide.
The pens purchased by Folha for the report remained in the possession of the analysis laboratory for later disposal.
Eli Lilly, which holds the Mounjaro patent in Brazil, states, in a note, that finding the same active ingredient in Paraguayan products does not prove that they are safe, effective or equivalent to Mounjaro.
"Identifying a component says nothing about how the medicine was produced, about its purity or about how the body reacts to it. Confirming that a product is safe and effective requires specialized technical knowledge, precision equipment and controls that a specific analysis cannot replace. Without them, the real risks of these products cannot be ruled out", says the pharmacist.
Source: Noticias ao Minuto - Ultima Hora
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