The UK government has issued an urgent public health warning, cautioning that counterfeit weight loss injections sold online could contain lethal contaminants and prove fatal.
Minister's Stark Warning on Counterfeit 'Fat Jabs'
In an exclusive article for the Mirror, Health Minister Dr Zubir Ahmed delivered a stark message as demand for appetite-suppressing drugs is predicted to surge at the start of 2026. The minister, a transplant surgeon by profession, warned that criminals are exploiting New Year's resolutions by peddling dangerous, unlicensed medications on social media and the dark web.
"If it sounds too good to be true it probably is and what’s more it could be life threatening," Dr Ahmed wrote. He described the sellers as "chancers and criminals" who often have no idea what is in the products they sell and show no concern for the severe health risks to buyers.
Fake products risk being contaminated, incorrectly dosed, or containing powerful, unlisted ingredients. The government has seen "countless examples" of people suffering from severe heart problems, psychological effects, and dangerously low blood sugar, with some victims requiring intensive hospital treatment.
Soaring Demand Fuels a Dangerous Black Market
The warning comes amid skyrocketing interest in GLP-1 agonist drugs like Wegovy and Mounjaro, which mimic a hormone to make the body feel full. An estimated 3.3 million people are likely to take such drugs in the new year, a significant rise from the current 1-1.5 million users. Notably, one in ten people aged 25 to 49 may seek them out.
However, with legitimate prescriptions costing hundreds of pounds per month, many are tempted by cheaper, illicit alternatives. A recent Ipsos poll revealed alarming trends: 5% of Brits said they would buy the jabs online from unregistered sellers, while 4% would obtain them through friends or family. One in ten admitted they would turn to platforms like Facebook and TikTok if unable to get a prescription.
The poll also found that personal familiarity with weight-loss jabs has more than doubled in a year, from 13% to 28% of the population.
How to Access Treatment Safely
Dr Ahmed emphasised that legitimate weight loss injections are prescription-only medicines for a crucial reason. They are powerful drugs requiring clinical oversight. "Gambling with your health isn’t worth the bargain," he stated, urging the public not to line the pockets of criminals.
The government's advice is clear: anyone considering weight-loss treatment must speak to their GP or a registered pharmacist. Safe, licensed medicines should only be obtained from a legitimate pharmacy with a valid prescription and ongoing medical monitoring.
The NHS is rolling out these drugs, prioritising those with dangerous obesity and related health conditions. Over three years, the health service expects to treat 240,000 people, though limited capacity for essential counselling support restricts wider prescription. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) strongly warns against buying from unregulated websites or social media.
"Your health is too important to take a chance on a fake product from an anonymous seller," Dr Ahmed concluded. "This New Year, the government wants to help you make good choices that keep you healthy and out of the clutches of rogue sellers."
