Health experts have issued an urgent warning that counterfeit weight loss pills are being sold through fake online pharmacies, putting patients in the UK at serious risk of life-threatening complications.
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has warned of unregistered websites selling contaminated versions of popular weight loss drugs such as Ozempic and targeting vulnerable patients.
Officials say some patients have seizures and end up in life-threatening comas after using these counterfeit drugs, saying there is “no way to know what is actually in them.”
Britain’s drug watchdog has confirmed that the fraud is carried out by organized crime syndicates.
Health authorities have seized more than 600 potentially counterfeit Ozempic pens across the UK since early 2023, with some patients requiring hospitalization after using the counterfeits.
Soran Govind, former president of the Royal Pharmaceutical Society, revealed that these fake medicines often contain dangerous substances such as rat poison, cement, mercury and arsenic.
Health authorities have seized more than 600 potentially counterfeit Ozempic pens across the UK since early 2023.
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Many counterfeit products do not contain semaglutide, the active ingredient that suppresses hunger, at all. Instead, they are often insulin pens that have been repackaged to look like real drugs.
This insulin content can cause a dangerously rapid drop in blood sugar levels when injected, and experts warn that it can potentially be fatal.
Dr Leila Hanbeck, CEO of the Independent Pharmacy Association, warned that drug shortages are causing scammers to target desperate patients.
“Severe side effects of these fake drugs include hypoglycemic shock and coma,” she told MailOnline, adding that regulators must “decisively” deal with these fake websites. Ta.
Experts have also reported cases of patients experiencing palpitations and confusion after taking counterfeit weight loss drugs.
The Royal Pharmaceutical Society has urged people to check pharmacies at pharmacyregulation.org before making a purchase.
Experts have also reported cases of patients suffering from palpitations and confusion after taking counterfeit weight loss pills.
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“It is vital that people do not use unregulated and illegally operated websites to obtain medicines,” said Roz Gittins, chief pharmacy officer at the General Pharmaceutical Council.
Deputy Commissioner Andy Mooring said the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) was actively working to combat this illegal activity.
“We are working tirelessly with our partners to combat the illegal sale of medicines and those responsible for causing harm,” he said, adding that patient safety remains a top priority. emphasized.
The Advertising Standards Authority has also stepped up its crackdown, removing up to 100 social media posts each day promoting prescription-only medicines.
In the UK, it is illegal to promote prescription medicines, including sponsored content on social media.
The MHRA continues to work with police and border forces to identify, disrupt and dismantle these criminal networks.
Genuine Ozempic has been available on the NHS since 2019 for people with type 2 diabetes to manage blood sugar levels.
A related drug, Wigoby, was approved as a weight loss drug in 2022, while Munjaro was approved only recently.
These drugs, known as GPL-1 agonists, have been shown to help you lose up to 33 pounds (15.3 kg) in 68 weeks by tricking your brain into feeling full.
NHS guidelines specify that Wegovy should only be prescribed to patients with a BMI of over 35, or a BMI of 30 plus a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure.
Private prescribers must follow professional guidelines to ensure appropriate patient access.
