A pharmacist has issued a stark warning about the health risks of counterfeit slimming injections, following a surge in demand for drugs such as Wegovy, Ozempic and Mounjaro.
Well Pharmacy’s Neil Raichura believes it is crucial that Brits are fully aware of the risks associated with the treatments popularized by a range of celebrities.
Mr Raichura’s advice comes amid growing concerns about the rise of counterfeit drugs, highlighted by a recent warning from the World Health Organization (WHO) about the rapid increase in counterfeit drugs targeting diabetes and weight loss.
Over the past four years, the UK Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has linked 18 deaths to the use of weight-loss drugs.
Mr Raichura said: ‘While it may be tempting to buy medicines online, there is no guarantee of your safety and there are several risks that can arise.’
Read on to discover Mr. Raichura’s collection of four things all patients should consider before taking weight-loss shots.
A pharmacist has issued a stark warning about the health risks of counterfeit slimming injections, following a surge in demand for Wegovy and Ozempic in Britain (stock image)
Uncertified providers and rogue sellers
Mr Raichura warns consumers against purchasing slimming pills from uncertified providers and rogue online sellers who want to sell something quickly to customers, and are likely to be uneducated and unconcerned about the dangers posed by their product.
According to the pharmacist, unlicensed traders often distribute products that contain harmful substances or incorrect dosages.
Well Pharmacy advises all consumers who want to buy slimming pills such as Ozempic or Wegovy to look for the correct certification on websites.
Suppliers of medicines in Britain are normally regulated by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) or Care Quality Commission (CQC). If websites offering weight loss treatments do not display these logos, they are not regulated and should not be trusted.
So far, 274 people have been sent to hospital after taking weight-loss jabs – more than the 68 previously announced by the MHRA.
A recent case involved Welsh mother-of-three Jodi Jones, who bought a fake £20 Ozempic injection via Facebook.
The unregulated jab left her in ‘excruciating pain’ and vomiting blood, requiring hospital treatment.
Mr Raichura warned: ‘While it may be tempting to buy medicines online, there is no guarantee of your safety and there are several risks that can arise.’
Welsh mother-of-three Jodi Jones (pictured), who bought a £20 fake Ozempic injection via Facebook, needed hospital treatment after the drug made her vomit blood
The slimming injections that Jodi Jones bought from a beautician on Facebook turned out to contain insulin
Unsafe ingredients
Counterfeit products often contain harmful substances, including untested chemicals, toxic additives or dosages that differ from what is considered safe and effective, Mr. Raichura explains.
Injections containing unsafe ingredients can have serious health consequences.
The pharmacist advised: ‘To reduce these risks, consumers should always ensure that their weight loss treatments come from reputable pharmacies that adhere to strict safety standards.’
Unpredictable side effects
Unpredictable side effects can result from taking uncertified weight loss shots because the drugs have not undergone rigorous testing.
Unregulated weight loss shots have been linked to a range of serious side effects, including gastrointestinal problems such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea.
Gastric paralysis and intestinal obstructions have all been noted in customers who have purchased unregulated drugs.
Other side effects include chronic conditions such as pancreatitis, kidney disease and cardiovascular complications.
Mr Raichura also warned of long-term risks such as thyroid tumors and gallbladder disease.
Unregulated weight loss shots have been linked to a range of serious side effects, including gastrointestinal problems such as nausea, vomiting and diarrhea (stock image)
Lack of support and guidance
Buying weight loss products from unregulated sources often means that consumers are deprived of essential support and guidance.
Unverified websites often provide no support once the product has been paid for, leaving consumers with no idea how to administer the drug or take the correct dosage.
A regulated pharmacy, such as Well Pharmacy, offers consultations so patients can continue to make informed decisions about their health and receive ongoing support during their weight loss efforts.
Without professional input, individuals may struggle to find their way to weight loss, increasing the likelihood of failure or harmful results.
Mr Raichura said: ‘It is imperative that people ensure that weight loss pills are purchased correctly.
Always ensure that the injections can be traced back to a pharmacy that has the correct license to sell the weight-loss medicines.’