It seems that Ozempic is being sold illegally rather than being an illegal drug itself.
The linked article by Cosmopolitan states, “Unlicensed versions of semaglutide, the active ingredient in Ozempic, are being sold on social media and in some beauty salons, an investigation found.” The investigation is being uncovered in the UK by BBC Three documentary The Skinny Jab Uncovered.
Based on your linked article and others I’ve found, this seems to be emerging in Europe. “Growing demand for Novo Nordisk A/S’s weight-loss and diabetes drugs is fueling a rise in illegal sales in its home country of Denmark, where authorities are now seeking to clamp down on the illicit activity,” said Bloomberg in a 2023 article.
The Theraputic Goods Administration of Australia says that “Ozempic cannot be advertised to the public,” resulting in jail time and up $1 million dollars in fines.
NBC reported the FDA is investigating and warning consumers against counterfeit versions of Ozempic. So, it seems to come down to the true nature of the drug being bought.
https://www.tga.gov.au/advertising-prescription-medicine-ozempic-semaglutide-prohibited#:~:text=Ozempic%20is%20a%20prescription%20only,and%20%2411.1%20million%20for%20corporations.
https://www.cosmopolitan.com/uk/body/health/a45846418/ozempic-illegal-side-effects/
https://www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcna130871
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-11-01/novo-s-weight-loss-drugs-targeted-by-illegal-websites-in-denmark?embedded-checkout=true
