Health experts have warned people against buying weight-loss injections from social media sellers or other unregulated sources, as demand for the drugs continues to surge.
Medications such as Wegovy and Mounjaro have become increasingly popular, with studies showing Mounjaro can help users lose an average of around 20% of their body weight over 72 weeks. But limited NHS access, the need for a prescription and high private costs have fuelled a growing black market.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued a fresh warning, urging people to only buy weight-loss medicines from registered UK pharmacies or legitimate retailers.
Jenn Matthissen, from the MHRA’s safety and surveillance team, said: “People often look for ways to improve their health at this time of year, but buying medicines from illegal online sellers can put your health at real risk.Always use authorised products from legitimate sources and seek advice from a healthcare professional.”
The scale of the illegal trade is significant. In October, the MHRA seized more than £250,000 worth of counterfeit weight-loss injections from a factory in Northampton, including fake pens for retatrutide — an experimental drug not licensed in the UK. A later investigation found that a company linked to the products continued to advertise replicas through multiple Telegram channels.
Banks have also reported a rise in scams linked to weight-loss drugs, with victims losing an average of £120.
The MHRA has repeatedly warned about beauty salons, fake pharmacy websites and social media accounts selling prescription-only weight-loss injections without prescriptions. Red flags include unusually low prices, promises of miracle results or claims of rapid weight loss.
The regulator said illegally sold products may be counterfeit, contaminated or contain incorrect doses, as well as undisclosed ingredients that could be harmful.
There are also concerns about poor storage, as exposure to freezing or extreme temperatures can reduce the safety and effectiveness of the drugs.
Health minister Dr Zubir Ahmed urged people to avoid unregulated sellers, saying: “Please do not buy weight-loss medications from unlicensed sources. These products are made with no regard for safety or quality and pose a serious risk to patients.
“Licensed obesity medicines can be highly effective for those with a clinical need, but they must be prescribed and dispensed safely through registered pharmacies.”
For more details, visit New Daily Prime
