The UK medical regulator has issued a fresh warning against buying weight-loss jabs from illegal online sellers, beauty salons, and social media channels. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said such products can put health at real risk, as the black market for medications like Wegovy and Mounjaro continues to boom.
Demand for these jabs has surged, with trials suggesting Mounjaro can help people lose an average of 20% of their body weight after 72 weeks. However, limited NHS access, prescription requirements, and high costs have fuelled an illegal 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.
The MHRA stressed that products from unregulated sources could be counterfeit, contaminated, or contain wrong doses. They may also include unlisted ingredients that pose health dangers. Experts warned that improper storage, such as exposure to extreme cold, could impair drug safety and effectiveness.
Health minister Dr Zubir Ahmed said: “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.”
Banks have also warned of scams, with victims losing £120 on average. The MHRA advises buying only from registered UK pharmacies or legitimate retailers, and speaking to a healthcare professional for safe, evidence-based options.
