BRITS are being warned to watch out for fake fat jabs after a mum died from one she bought at a salon in Manchester.
passed away in May, just days after being injected with the dodgy by a beautician.
There are a few warning signs to watch for if you think you’ve been sold illegal weight-loss jabsCredit: Getty
Desperate to , the 53-year-old had tried to get the jabs via the NHS, but turned to the when she was deemed ineligible.
The jabs are only given on the NHS to people who are seriously overweight and already have health issues like or .
Karen initially , but became unwell with and breathing problems four days after her final injection, her daughter Ffion told ITV News .
After being rushed to hospital in an ambulance Karen spent two days in intensive care before doctors told her family there was nothing more they could do.
Some 2.5million Brits were prescribed the legal version of the drugs and in July.
This means that almost one in 20 adults was on one of the treatments.
“The rising demand for weight loss jabs has given way to a dangerous black market for unlicensed and counterfeit skinny jabs, which can hospitalise users,” Kiran Jones, a clinical pharmacist at Oxford Online Pharmacy , explained.
“It is also alarming and deeply concerning to see ‘Reta’, short for Retatrutide, being advertised for sale online in the UK, which is not approved for human use,” he added.
Many of these jabs are being sold through , online forums which completely eradicates the medical oversight necessary to make sure people are taking the drugs safely.
Last week, the UK’s medicine watchdog more than £250,000 worth of fake fat jabs in Northampton, in the world’s largest ever weight-loss drug bust.
Andy Morling, from the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), said: “These products are untested, unauthorised and potentially deadly.”
People should be “extremely cautious” when buying medicines online and only get them from a registered pharmacy, he added.
This is because unapproved jabs can contain “harmful chemicals and incorrect dosages that may interact poorly with other medication,” Kiren explained.
“This can make them ineffective, but also potentially life-threatening,” he added.
In case you are considering a jab that isn’t accessible through professional medical consultation, Kiren has some red flags to watch out for:
Karen tragically died after being injected with a black market fat jab by a beautician at a salonCredit: Facebook
1. It is sent in a glass vial
“Legitimate weight-loss injectables like Wegovy or Ozempic are dispensed in pre-filled, pen-style devices designed for safe use,” Kiran said.
A small glass vial typically suggests the jab has been repackaged, which is not approved or regulated.
“These vials are more susceptible to contamination and dosage inconsistencies,” he explained.
Real weight-loss injections are not sent in vialsCredit: Getty
2. The medicine comes with separate syringes
“If you’re being asked to source your own syringes or are sent a kit with unmarked or mismatched equipment, it’s a strong indicator that the product is unofficial or unregulated,” the pharmacist said.
That’s because real weight-loss jabs come with proper medical pens and advice to make sure they’re used safely.
“Incorrect syringe size or technique can lead to overdosing or injection site injuries and can introduce serious hygiene risks, including infections,” he warned.
WHO IS ELIGIBLE FOR WEIGHT LOSS JABS ON THE NHS?
NHS eligibility for weight loss injections has expanded but still lags behind the number who could potentially benefit from taking them.
Wegovy, medical name semaglutide, is only available for weight loss through specialist weight management clinics.
Patients are typically expected to have tried other weight loss methods before getting a prescription.
They may be eligible if their body mass index (BMI) is higher than 30, or higher than 27 if they have a weight-related health condition such as high blood pressure.
Mounjaro, known as tirzepatide, is also available from GP practices but currently only to patients with a BMI of 40 or higher (or 37.5 if from a minority ethnic background) plus four weight-related health conditions.
The medicines are currently being rationed to the patients most in need.
NHS watchdog NICE estimates that more than three million Brits will ultimately be eligible.
The GLP-1 injections are prescribed separately by GPs for people with type 2 diabetes, and patients should discuss this with their doctor.
3. You have to pay in cash or via bank transfer
“Cash or bank transfer requests are a common tactic among illegal sellers to avoid detection and create an untraceable transaction trail,” Kiran said.
“This makes it incredibly difficult to track fraud, report sellers, or seek support if there’s a problem,” he added.
Real pharmacies and clinics only take secure, trackable payments.
4. You sourced it through social media, online forums, or from an unverified individual
“Prescription medications should only be supplied by licensed medical professionals and regulated pharmacies,” the pharmacist said.
This means if you are being offered a weight-loss jab through or any other platform, it’s highly unlikely to be a safe or legal source.
“There is no way to verify what the product contains, whether it’s been stored correctly or if it’s been tampered with,” Kiran added.
Fat jabs sold on social media are unlikely to be genuine or safeCredit: Getty
5. The jab is delivered unrefrigerated or without cold packs
Fat jabs need to stay cold to remain chemically stable and effective.
“If your product arrives warm, without cold packs, or has clearly been exposed to uncontrolled temperatures, its potency and safety are compromised,” Kiran said.
“Using degraded medication can lead to reduced effectiveness or dangerous side effects,” he added.
What to do if you think your jab might be fake
If you spot any warning signs listed above, do not use the product.
Instead, speak to a medical professional who can assess your suitability for regulated weight loss medications, or report it through the Yellow Card scheme immediately.
“The bottom line is that if a jab wasn’t prescribed to you by a licensed professional and dispensed by a qualified pharmacy, you’re putting your health and potentially your life at risk,” Kiran explained.
