Diabetes Canada stresses it doesn’t endorse medical products after ads suggest otherwise

Diabetes Canada is sounding the alarm on a surge in reports from individuals who have come across misleading advertisements for diabetes products that wrongfully use the charity’s logos without authorization. Since the beginning of the year, the organization has received over 300 calls to its 1-800 line and emails from concerned individuals who have spotted these deceptive ads.

But Diabetes Canada is not the only organization facing this issue. Logos from Obesity Canada and Health Canada are also being used on a variety of products, ranging from supposed medications and supplements to devices claiming to be blood glucose monitors. Despite efforts to have these ads removed by social media platforms, new ones keep popping up.

One particular class of injectable medications known as GLP-1 agonists, such as Ozempic and Wegovy, are approved for treating Type 2 diabetes and obesity in Canada. These drugs require administration by healthcare professionals and should be distributed by pharmacists. It is important to note that these medications are not endorsed by Diabetes Canada, Obesity Canada, or Health Canada.

Unfortunately, some of the misleading ads promote products that mimic the names of well-known medications but are not effective. For instance, there are ads for GLP-1 oral drops that claim to offer similar benefits as the approved medications. Laura Syron, the president and CEO of Diabetes Canada, emphasized that these products are not endorsed by the organization.

It is crucial for individuals living with diabetes to have accurate blood sugar readings. Therefore, it is recommended that anyone considering a change in medication, a new treatment, or a different monitoring device consult their healthcare provider first. Diabetes Canada has also clarified that they do not provide subsidies to patients, contrary to what some ads may falsely claim.

One individual, Joel Snitman, fell victim to a misleading ad that featured Diabetes Canada’s logo promoting a product that turned out to be an oximeter, not a blood glucose monitor. Snitman expressed feeling deceived by the unauthorized use of the charity’s logo and struggled to track down the manufacturer or retailer behind the product.

Dr. Kaberi Dasgupta, a physician and professor of medicine at McGill University, warned against using products like GLP-1 patches or drops, as they are not equivalent to the approved medications and could potentially delay proper medical care for individuals with diabetes.

Obesity Canada has also been targeted by fraudulent ads promoting unregulated supplements using the organization’s name and logo without permission. The organization is working to have these ads taken down and is seeking legal action against the perpetrators.

Social media platforms like Meta, which owns Facebook and Instagram, have been removing these deceptive ads and investigating further. Health Canada has also been made aware of the issue and is working to combat these misleading advertisements.

In conclusion, it is essential for individuals to be cautious of products claiming to treat diabetes or obesity that use unauthorized logos from reputable organizations. Consulting with healthcare professionals before making any changes to treatment or medication is crucial to ensure one’s health and well-being.