Kenneth Glad
Stolen data claims are emerging alongside warnings about fake versions of popular treatments. Both risks show how valuable modern medicines have become.
Novo Nordisk is facing claims of stolen data while also warning about counterfeit versions of its most sought-after medicines, according to TV 2 Denmark.
FulcrumSec says it demanded about 21.5 million euros from the company after allegedly gaining unauthorized access to its systems. Reuters reported that the group made the claim itself.
The group says it stayed inside the company’s systems for more than two months and copied about one terabyte of data.
Reuters said it could not verify whether material published by the group was authentic.
Data claims raise concern
The hackers say the copied material includes information connected to medicines, employees, healthcare workers and patients. Novo Nordisk has not confirmed the group’s account.
The company said it was aware of claims that data had been copied and published online:
“We take this seriously and continue to maintain the operation of our platforms. We are in contact with the relevant authorities,” Novo Nordisk said, according to TV 2.
For a pharmaceutical company, alleged data theft can affect more than daily operations. Research files may be commercially sensitive, while health-related information can involve patients, doctors and clinical studies.
Counterfeit Ozempic concerns grow
Anne Devaud, Novo Nordisk’s global head of product security, described seperately another criminal threat: Counterfeit versions of Ozempic and Wegovy.
She said Dutch customs found a suspicious package marked as Ozempic:
“We could confirm that the package in the Netherlands did not come from us, and we could also see that it was a counterfeit.”
Fake medicines may contain the wrong substance, too little active ingredient or dangerous material.
“People can die from counterfeit medicine without it ever being discovered,” she said.
“Ozempic in particular became a super brand, and organized criminals are also business people. They saw a market. They saw an opportunity,” Devaud told TV 2.
The cases underline why companies behind blockbuster treatments face pressure on several fronts: Criminals can seek money from stolen files, fake products or patients trying to obtain scarce and costly medicines.
Sources: Reuters; TV 2 Denmark
