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More than 6,500 counterfeit or unlicensed products lose weight New figures show jabs have been seized in the UK over the past three years.
“Deeply worrying” data shows a sharp rise in seizures of illicit GLP-1 receptor agonists by the UK’s medicines regulator. Raising serious concerns about patient safety and a worrying increase in weight loss treatments available through the black market.
The confiscated products include products claimed to contain Semaglutide, tilsiparatide, and retarglutide. The drugs are the active ingredients in popular weight-loss injections, with semaglutide sold under the names Wegovy, Ozempic and Rybelsus, and tezepatide sold under the name Mounjaro.
Weight loss injections, also known as GLP-1 receptor agonists, work by mimicking natural hormones that regulate blood sugar, appetite and digestion. An estimated 1.6 million adults in England, Wales and Scotland used weight-loss drugs between early 2024 and early 2025, according to a study released this month by University College London.
However, as demand soared, researchers found that one in seven of them were using unlicensed drugs, with many spending hundreds of pounds to buy them privately in order to lose weight.
and from Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency British online pharmacy Quick Meds, obtained through a Freedom of Information request (MHRA), revealed users are increasingly turning to black market options.
In the past three years, the MHRA has seized 6,526 counterfeit or unlicensed weight loss injections. In 2023, 407 were seized, but by 2025, that number jumped to 5,851.
Figures show large quantities of drugs are discovered through inland investigations rather than at the UK border, pointing to a growing domestic black market.
Ahsan Bhatti, pharmacist and owner quick medicationIt warns that counterfeit injectables pose a serious risk to patient safety because their dosage, ingredients and storage conditions cannot be verified.
He said: “The MHRA’s latest seizure figures are deeply concerning. These non-compliant injections pose a real risk to patient safety as we cannot verify how they are manufactured, whether they are safely stored, let alone whether they are dosed correctly.”
He warned that counterfeit or unlicensed injectables may contain incorrect or dangerous ingredients, be inconsistent or unsafe in dosage, or be contaminated due to poor manufacturing standards.
Bhatti strongly warned people not to trust diet pills sold on social media platforms, messaging apps or unverified websites.
He said: “The results are simply not worth the risk of injecting unknown drugs into your body, and whether you qualify for weight loss injections or are just looking for a quick fix – it has the potential to cause endless harm to your health.
“Ultimately, the only real way to ensure you are receiving a safe and legal product is to order your GLP-1 medications from a registered, regulated pharmacy provider.
“Anyone who suspects a seller is offering counterfeit goods should report it immediately to the MHRA through the Yellow Card scheme.”
The MHRA said more illegally traded medicines were removed from circulation last year than ever before, totaling nearly 20 million doses, up from 17 million in 2024.
Andy Morling, deputy director of enforcement at the MHRA, said: “Each of these products presents a potential danger to the public.
“Criminals see this trade as an easy way to make money, but our relentless efforts are making it increasingly difficult for them to operate. Our focus over the last year has been as strong as ever on stopping these dangerous products from reaching the public in the first place.
“I urge everyone to think carefully before buying strong medicines online. If something looks or feels wrong, it probably is. Products sold illegally online may contain harmful substances or be incorrectly dosed, both of which could seriously harm your health. Always use a registered pharmacy – your safety is not worth the risk.”
independent The Department of Health and Social Care has been contacted for comment.
Six signs your weight loss injections might be fake
Mr. Bhatti advised patients to be extremely vigilant when warning signs appear and shared his advice on identifying potentially dangerous or counterfeit weight loss pens:
- No appropriate qualifications checks such as clinical consultations or health checks – regulated lose weight Medications always require a prescription.
- Prices significantly lower than those from regulated suppliers – If something seems too good to be true, it probably is, especially if your quote is significantly lower than the average market price for that dose.
- There are no registered UK pharmacists involved in accessing these medicines. You should also be able to easily identify whether the pharmacy is registered with the General Medicines Council (GPhC).
- You can easily spot packaging errors or missing patient information. While there are some good imitations on the market, legitimate weight loss medications come in high-quality, well-designed branded packaging. They will also always contain information leaflets. Look out for blurry text, spelling mistakes, and low-quality logos.
- You will be asked to pay for the items through unofficial channels, such as direct bank transfer rather than online payment portals.
- Products may be shipped to you without temperature controls, such as refrigerated packages, to ensure that unopened pens are stored correctly at the specified temperature before being transferred to the refrigerator.