In Northampton, authorities have confiscated over 2,000 counterfeit weight-loss injections from an illicit facility, estimating their street value at £250,000. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and Northamptonshire Police conducted a joint operation, marking it as the largest seizure of weight loss medication globally.
The illegal pens contained tirzepatide, a primary ingredient in Mounjaro and Zepbound exclusively manufactured by Eli Lilly, along with retratutide, an experimental weight-loss substance under trial and not sanctioned for use anywhere. Eli Lilly cautioned that purchasers of these underground injections would have no knowledge of their actual contents.
Alongside the fake injections, authorities also confiscated raw materials, thousands of empty pens awaiting filling, and £20,000 in cash. The MHRA spokesperson described the discovery as the first illegal production site for weight loss medication in the UK, emphasizing its significance in combating the illicit trade in such products.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting applauded the operation, condemning criminals who jeopardize lives by selling unsafe weight loss jabs for profit. He advised the public against purchasing weight loss medications from unregulated sources, urging them to consult healthcare professionals for safe options.
Andy Morling, head of the MHRA’s criminal enforcement unit, emphasized the severity of the situation, emphasizing the dangers posed by unapproved and potentially lethal products. He stressed the importance of acquiring prescription medicines only from licensed pharmacies with healthcare professional prescriptions.
Despite the seizure, no arrests have been made yet in connection with the operation. Legal weight-loss injections are strictly available through the NHS for eligible patients, reinforcing the risks associated with unauthorized and unregulated products.
