A wave of illicit diabetes-related products has appeared on Canadian websites, prompting urgent warnings from health authorities as an alternative to fraudulent smartwatches that claim to monitor blood glucose levels without a single finger stab.
Recently, Diabetes Canada says there has been a surge in calls and emails from people with diabetes who have seen and even purchased fraudulent medical products online.
Fake diabetes products often feature false support for misusing logos from the Canadian government, Canadian government for diabetes and obesity.
“Over the past few months, Diabetes Canada has received a surge in calls and emails to our information and referral teams from people with diabetes who have seen or purchased medical products related to diabetes,” Laura Cylon, 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 painful it can be to buy something that will help you manage your blood sugar levels.
The organization has not approved medical products and emphasized that the advertisements it claims otherwise were completely fraudulent. These misleading claims include the so-called “GLP-1 oral drop,” fake blood glucose monitors, and even a complete website pretending to be connected to Canadian diabetes.
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Obesity Canada made a statement after discovering that the company was using its logo and photos of founder Dr. Arya Sharma, and then selling supplements that have been mistakenly advertised as an alternative to GLP-1 for weight loss.
“Let's make us absolutely clear. Obese Canada does not support commercial products, supplements or programs,” the organization says on its website.
“Obesity is a complex and chronic disease that deserves caring and evidence-based care rather than a quick fix or miraculous treatment. Marketing tactics that exploit the hopes of people living in obese are not only unethical, they are dangerous.”
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One of the illegal products, the unauthorized blood sugar smartwatch, urged a recall and a safety warning from Health Canada in 2023.
In the warning, Health Canada warned that these glucose-reading smartwatches have not been evaluated for safety or efficacy, and could pose serious health risks. This device fails to provide inaccurate blood glucose measurements or timely alerts, which can lead to dangerous mistakes in diabetes management.
Health Canada stressed that smartwatches that can monitor blood glucose levels independently are not permitted. You must only use approved devices listed in the Medical Device Active License List (MDALL).
Regarding these fake medical products, Diabetes Canada recommends that diabetes, its caregivers and parents always check in with their healthcare provider before checking in with their healthcare provider.
The organization also said over the past few months that Health Canada has remained in the loop on the issue and filed a formal complaint about misleading advertisements.
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