Over 2,000 counterfeit weight loss injections have been seized from a factory in Northampton, marking the largest confiscation of its kind worldwide. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and the police collaborated to dismantle the illegal operation responsible for producing and distributing unlicensed products.
Initial investigations suggested that the fake injections contained tirzepatide, an ingredient commonly found in Mounjaro. However, Eli Lilly, the pharmaceutical company that manufactures the authentic medication, warned that individuals purchasing these counterfeit injections from the black market would have no certainty about their contents.
This operation marks the first of its kind in the UK, with authorities also recovering raw materials, equipment, thousands of empty injection pens, and £20,000 in cash from the site. The estimated street value of the counterfeit injections is approximately £250,000.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting commended the successful operation, emphasizing the dangers posed by criminals selling illegal and unsafe weight loss injections for profit. He cautioned the public against purchasing such products from unregulated sources, highlighting the risks to consumer health.
Streeting urged individuals to avoid supporting criminal activities by refraining from buying weight loss medications from illicit channels.
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Pic: MHRA
Andy Morling, head of the MHRA’s criminal enforcement unit, hailed the seizure as a significant achievement and a severe blow to the illicit trade. He underscored the dangers of untested and unauthorized products, emphasizing the potentially fatal consequences of consuming such items.
By dismantling this organized criminal network and preventing tens of thousands of counterfeit products from reaching consumers, public health risks have been averted.
Reports from Pharmacy magazine indicate that no arrests have been made in connection with the seizure at this time. Weight loss injections are currently only accessible through the NHS for patients meeting specific criteria, while private prescriptions can incur substantial monthly costs.
It is crucial for individuals to prioritize their health and safety by avoiding unauthorized and potentially harmful weight loss products.