Doctors have issued a stark warning over fake weight-loss jabs sold online, as a new survey reveals that nearly one in 10 Britons would buy such drugs from social media platforms. Dr Claire Fuller, national medical director at NHS England, cautioned against 'quick fixes advertised online', stressing that unverified sellers offer medicines without clinical oversight, putting health at serious risk.
The warning comes as a poll of 2,161 adults by Ipsos found that 9 per cent would purchase weight-loss drugs from Facebook or TikTok if unable to obtain a prescription. A further 5 per cent would buy from unregistered online retailers, while 4 per cent would acquire them through friends or family. The survey also showed that 26 per cent would only use prescribed jabs, and 16 per cent would only obtain them from a pharmacy.
Weight-loss medication use has surged in the UK, with around 1.5 million people currently using such drugs. The price of Mounjaro tripled to over £300 in 2025, driving many to seek cheaper alternatives. However, some products sold on social media or by fraudulent pharmacies are fake or contain unapproved ingredients, such as Retatrutide, which is still undergoing clinical trials and not approved for human use.
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency urged people to avoid buying weight-loss products from unregulated sources, warning that illegal products may be fake, contaminated, or incorrectly dosed. Dr Fuller emphasised that the NHS offers safe and sustainable weight management support, and anyone seeking private treatment should only do so through qualified professionals.
Olivier Picard, chairman of the National Pharmacy Association, warned that 'unscrupulous fake sellers' could exploit new year resolutions. He stated, 'Not only are unregulated sellers breaking the law, they can cause serious damage to your health.' He advised patients to only use regulated pharmacies, whether online or on the high street.
