The UK's Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued a fresh warning against purchasing weight-loss medications such as Wegovy and Mounjaro from illegal online sellers or social media channels. The regulator stresses that buying from unregulated sources can put health at real risk, as the black market for these drugs booms.
Demand for weight-loss jabs is high, but access on the NHS is limited, a prescription is required, and the price tag is hefty. This has fuelled a thriving black market. In October, the MHRA seized over £250,000 worth of counterfeit weight-loss jab products from a factory in Northampton, including injection pens for retatrutide, an experimental drug not licensed in the UK.
Jenn Matthissen of the MHRA's safety and surveillance team said: "People often look for ways to support their health at this time of year but buying medicines from illegal online sellers can put your health at real risk. Always make sure you are using authorised products from legitimate sources." The agency warns that products from illicit sellers could be counterfeit, contaminated, contain wrong doses, or unlisted ingredients that could be dangerous.
Health minister Dr Zubir Ahmed added: "As a practising doctor and patient safety minister, I want to be absolutely clear: please do not buy weight loss medications from unregulated sources. These products are made with no regard for safety or quality and pose a major risk to unwitting customers."
The MHRA advises buying only from registered UK pharmacies or legitimate retailers, and speaking to a healthcare professional for safe, evidence-based options. Banks have also warned of scams, with victims losing £120 on average.
