Counterfeit versions of medicated treatments are being sold on social media and in beauty salons nationwide. Medics have warned that using fake weight-loss injections can be dangerous – so how can they be detected?
GPs and pharmacists have told The i Paper that unusually low prices and a missing key ingredient are sure signs of fake weight-loss jabs, which can be dangerous.
The Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has warned patients not to purchase medicines from unregulated suppliers, such as beauty salons and social media.
Having almost got into the official UK supply chain in 2024, Professor Franklin Joseph of Dr Frank’s Weight Loss Clinic said the online sale of fake weight-loss jabs is a “growing concern”, with counterfeit products not only being ineffective but also “potentially dangerous”.
He said patients must exercise caution and ensure they only obtain medications from licensed, regulated providers, adding that there are several red flags to watch for when purchasing weight-loss jabs online.
“These include sellers offering medications without requiring a prescription. Overly cheap prices are another warning sign, as they often indicate counterfeit products,” Prof Joseph said.
“Legitimate providers will always use secure payment systems and provide transparent information about the medication’s source, safety, and potential risks.”
Purchasing counterfeit products can lead to severe health issues such as allergic reactions, dangerous contamination, or incorrect dosing. He said: “For example, contaminated products may contain harmful substances that damage the liver or kidneys, while incorrect dosing can result in extreme nausea, dehydration, or severe blood sugar imbalances. To avoid these risks, it is critical for patients to only trust verified suppliers and ensure their medications come from reputable, regulated sources.”
These medications aren't for everyone...
Dr Bhavini Shah, a GP at Lloyds Pharmacy Online Doctor, said: “Wegovy and Mounjaro are not suitable for everyone. These medicines are not a short-term weight-loss solution intended for those with a healthy weight wanting to lose weight.
“In the UK, you need a prescription for both semaglutide [the active ingredient in Ozempic, Rybelsus and Wegovy] and tirzepatide [the active ingredient in Mounjaro]. It’s illegal to distribute either medication without a prescription.”
In contrast to unregulated sellers, such as high street beauty salons and social media platforms like Facebook and Instagram, safe prescribers put strict prescribing criteria in place to ensure patient safety and offer ongoing professional support to help patients through their weight-loss journey, Dr Shah said.
He warned fake weight-loss medications often do not contain the active ingredient stated, while others contain another undeclared active ingredient.
“Taking these medications puts individuals at risk of everything from allergic reactions to uncontrolled blood sugar levels, which could cause blurred vision, palpitations, seizures, or loss of consciousness. Patients should be wary of unusually low prices. Patients should also always check packaging and expiry dates of medicines, and only use medication as prescribed."
Pharmacy leading body issues warning
The warning follows that of pharmacy leaders over the online sale of weight-loss jabs, saying there is still a risk to patient safety. The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has written to regulators calling for tougher rules following reports some online sellers have set targets for clinicians to process more than 20 patients every hour.
The NPA said it was also aware of people being wrongly prescribed the drugs who have previously had eating disorders, or whose body weight is already low. A person’s medical history should be examined before sellers decide whether or not to dispense a weight-loss injection, and regular reviews must take place, it added.
Nick Kaye, chairman of the NPA, said: “It is important that consultations with patients are thorough, allowing a clinician to gain a full picture of someone’s suitability for weight-loss injections as well as ensuring the patient fully understands the nature of the treatment and any potential side-effects it may cause. It is also important to ensure that clinical decisions regarding weight-loss injections are not influenced by financial targets or incentives.”
This is why we only use trusted and regulated pharmacies to dispense your medications. Your product also has a QR code which gives a unique number which can be used by pharmacies and the manufacturer to confirm the legitimacy of your medication via the EMC (Electronic Medicines Compendium).
If you have any concerns or questions about the above article, please do not hesitate to contact us.
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