Experts have warned that counterfeit weight-loss medications in tablet form could become more prevalent in the UK as pharmaceutical companies develop oral versions of currently injectable drugs. They caution that stronger regulation and enforcement are needed to prevent fraudsters from exploiting the new treatments.
Bhavik Patel, a professor at the University of Brighton, noted that pills are easier to counterfeit than injectables, requiring only basic equipment like mixers and pill presses for large-scale production. The demand for weight-loss jabs such as Wegovy and Mounjaro has surged, but oral alternatives could widen access while also creating new opportunities for criminals.
Novo Nordisk's Wegovy pill, which uses a special absorption enhancer, has been approved in the US and is under review by the UK's MHRA. However, counterfeit versions may contain incorrect doses, contaminants, or no active ingredient. Dr Bernard Naughton of Trinity College Dublin warned that patients are more willing to risk buying tablets online than injections, even when suspicious.
The MHRA has already seized counterfeit weight-loss jabs in a raid in Northampton last year. Oksana Pyzik from UCL emphasized that demand has outpaced regulated supply, pushing people towards unlicensed online sources. Authorities urge buyers to only purchase from registered pharmacies or legitimate retailers.
