Pharmacist stole Ozempic and earned money by selling it on the black market

A pharmacist stole supplies of the weight loss drug Ozempic and made money from the illegal side hustle by selling it on the black market.

Akshay Sennik, 30, stole pens of the drug from New Cross Pharmacy, south east London, between September 2023 and March 2024.

His side hustle was only discovered when staff noticed a ‘shrinkage’ in the drug’s stockpile at the pharmacy.

Sennik pleaded guilty to one count of theft by an employee last November at Bexley Magistrates Court and could be sentenced to two years in jail, according to The Sun.

The value of the amount stolen by Sennik is unknown but each shot of Ozempic is worth around £175.

Sennik is expected to be sentenced on April 3.

A separate charge for handling a stolen bank card was dropped by the prosecution.

This case is believed to be the first time somebody has been charged with stealing Ozempic.

The drug is only available in the UK on prescription and was originally made to treat type two diabetes.

It was introduced in the UK in September 2023 after medical trials around the world found it suppressed appetite.

Ozempic can also be used on its own in patients who cannot take metformin, which is another diabetes medicine.

The drug can also be used as an ‘add-on’ to other diabetes medicines.

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