The dangers of counterfeit weight-loss injections

In the light of an investigation by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) that uncovered a sophisticated criminal network producing fake weight loss drugs, the MHRA has just issued a serious warning to consumers.

These counterfeit injections are falsely branded to resemble weight loss medications Mounjaro and Wegovy and are being sold widely across social media and through beauty salons.

Counterfeit drugs often contain impurities, incorrect dosages, or entirely different substances such as insulin or methamphetamine. Sadly, a UK woman died after receiving unlicensed injections from a beauty salon earlier this year, highlighting the dangers of black-market injections.

A factory in Northampton has been shut down by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) after officers discovered thousands of counterfeit weight-loss injections, including fake tirzepatide (‘Mounjaro’) and unlicensed retatrutide pens. These products, made with no safety checks or quality control, were being sold to the public and could cause serious harm.

Warning from our weight loss specialist

Our specialist GP Dr Ulrike Naumann was one of a number of clinicians who issued a warning over buying weight loss drugs online amid Wegovy and Ozempic surge in the summer, triggered by a BBC investigation in which illegal injections were found to be sold over social media and shipped across to the UK.

A community pharmacist and vice chair of the National Pharmacy Association, Sukhi Basra, who also runs a weight-loss practice. was featured on the BBC Radio 4 program Woman’s Hour on 11 November 2025. She discussed the risks associated with illegal, counterfeit weight-loss drugs being produced by criminal gangs in the UK, a trend identified by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

Sukhi Basra highlighted the severe public health threat posed by counterfeit weight-loss medications lacking safety checks, driven by demand for quick fixes and difficulty accessing legitimate treatments on the NHS in particular.

Dr Naumann agrees with her stance on patient empowerment through informed decision-making based on holistic, patient-centred consultations which include a thorough clinical assessment, addressing root causes, and facilitating informed consent.

Both, Wes Streeting – UK Health Secretary (1) and Andy Morling – Head of Criminal Enforcement, MHRA issued warnings in a press release on 7 November 2025.

“This raid is a victory in the fight against the shameless criminals who are putting lives at risk by peddling dangerous and illegal weight-loss jabs to make a quick buck. These unregulated products, made with no regard for safety or quality, posed a major risk to unwitting customers.

“My message is clear: don’t buy weight-loss medications from unregulated sources. Talk to your GP, seek NHS advice, and don’t line the pockets of criminals who don’t care about your health. Safe, appropriate, licensed obesity drugs can greatly benefit those in need if taken under medical supervision.’

“This seizure shows the lengths these criminals will go to for profit. People should be extremely cautious when buying medicines online.”

The safe approach to weight loss medication

Prescription medicines should only be obtained from a registered pharmacy against a prescription issued by a healthcare professional. Taking prescription medicines sourced in any other way carries serious risks to your health – there are no guarantees about what they contain, and some may even be contaminated with toxic substances.

This is an illicit global market that endangers patients, puts big money in the pockets of organised criminals, and undermines legitimate healthcare. This operation demonstrates, once again, that my officers will stop at nothing to identify, disrupt and dismantle these networks.

Why this matters

Counterfeit or unregulated medicines may look genuine but can contain unknown or toxic ingredients, incorrect doses, or be contaminated. Using them carries real risks — from infection to dehydration, hypoglycaemia, pancreatitis and so on.
Genuine tirzepatide (Mounjaro) is available from regulated clinics and pharmacies for people who meet medical criteria, but only when prescribed and monitored by qualified clinicians and/ or pharmacists.

Verifying the authenticity of a drug – especially weight loss medications like Ozempic, Wegovy, or Mounjaro – is crucial for your safety.

Practical steps you can take

The first thing to look at is the packaging. Genuine medicines are always clearly printed, with no spelling mistakes, blurred text, or odd fonts. The box should display the batch number, expiry date, and manufacturer details, and it should match the information and images found on the official manufacturer’s website. Poor-quality packaging is often an early warning sign.

Next, make use of official verification tools. In the UK, you can report or check suspicious medicines through the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme. The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and the European Medicines Agency (EMA) also provide searchable databases where approved medications are listed. These systems exist to protect patients, so it’s worth taking a moment to check.

Always obtain your medication from a registered pharmacy or healthcare provider. Never purchase prescription-only products from social media, beauty salons, or online sellers without credentials. In the UK, legitimate pharmacies are registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council, and you can easily verify this on their website.

Authentic medicines are designed with safety features that make them easy to recognise. Many come with tamper-evident seals, holograms, or QR codes that can be scanned via the manufacturer’s app or website to confirm authenticity. If these are missing or look altered, do not use the product.

If you’re ever unsure, speak to your GP or pharmacist before using the medicine. They can inspect it for you and confirm whether it’s genuine. Never inject or swallow a product unless you are confident it has been prescribed and supplied safely.

It’s also important to know the red flags that often signal counterfeit drugs — phrases like ‘no prescription needed’, unusually low prices, plain packaging, or sellers who can’t show professional credentials. These are all warning signs to walk away.

In the UK, the officially approved Mounjaro® (tirzepatide) KwikPen is manufactured by Eli Lilly Nederland B.V. and licensed by the MHRA for both type 2 diabetes and weight management. The genuine product includes clear dosage markings (2.5mg to 15mg), batch numbers, expiry dates, tamper-evident seals, and a patient information leaflet. Every authentic pen is a four-dose, pre-filled device designed for safe subcutaneous injection.

For more of a deep dive look at a summary of the latest developments, risks, and regulatory actions:

Prescribers should follow the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) guidelines, external, which state Mounjaro is authorised for adult patients with a BMI of 30 or more. The drug can be given to those with a BMI as low as 27 if they have weight-related health conditions such as prediabetes, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, or heart problems, the guidelines state.

In February 2025, the General Pharmaceutical Company (GPC) introduced new rules, which stipulated online pharmacies should not rely solely on an online questionnaire and should independently verify the person’s weight, height and/or body mass index.
Before a medicine can be sold in the UK, several licences are essential. Products with a UK marketing authorisation have a licence number in the format ‘PL 12345/0001’, ‘PLGB 12345/0002’ or ‘PLNI 12345/0003’. The licence number can be found on the packaging of the product and the first 2 characters always contain the letters ‘PL’.

HR, THRGB, THRNI codes refer to Traditional Herbal Registration licences for traditional herbal medicines.

NR, NRGB, NRNI codes are not specific medicine names themselves, but rather territorial prefixes used in the United Kingdom to indicate the scope of the licence following the UK’s exit from the EU and the implementation of the Windsor Framework:

No suffix (e.g., THE, NR): Indicates a UK-wide authorisation (covering Great Britain and Northern Ireland).

GB (e.g., THRGB, NRGB): Indicates the product is licensed for sale in Great Britain only (England, Scotland, and Wales).

NI (e.g., THRNI, NRNI): Indicates the product is licensed for sale in Northern Ireland only.

For example, the letters “THENI” are a combination of the “THE” prefix and the “NI” suffix, indicating a Traditional Herbal Registration for Northern Ireland.

Stay safe

• Only obtain weight-loss medication from registered UK health providers and pharmacies with a valid prescription.
• Do not buy weight loss injections from social media, beauty salons, hairdressers, personal trainers, online sellers or friends.
• Report suspicious products through the MHRA Yellow Card Scheme.

Our clinic’s approach

Your safety is always our top priority. We prescribe only licensed, approved medications and offer ongoing medical support to ensure safe and effective treatment. If you’re considering weight-loss medication, we can help you understand your options and guide you through a safe, supervised plan that protects your health. Adopting a health-centric approach to well-being emphasises improving overall health behaviours and addressing the multifaceted factors that influence health, regardless of body size, as well as avoiding harmful weight stigma.

Get in touch today to book a consultation at our Weight Loss Clinic.