Be aware of fake pharmacy websites offering weight-loss medicines – MHRA warns

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has cautioned against buying weight-loss medicines without a prescription from beauty salons,
unregistered pharmacy websites or social media platforms as such products could pose “serious health risks.”

Consumers are reminded that the only safe way to obtain genuine weight-loss medication is through a legitimate pharmacy, including licensed online pharmacies,
with a prescription from a qualified healthcare professional.

To combat the illegal sale of these medicines, the MHRA’s Criminal Enforcement Unit is working closely with social media platforms, technology companies, the
police and Border Force.

Andy Morling, MHRA deputy director of Criminal Enforcement, highlighted the dangers of purchasing these medications from unverified sources:

“At this time of year, with many of us thinking about shedding a little excess weight, we see people offering weight loss medicines for sale as a quick fix,
without a healthcare professional’s prescription, from beauty salons, websites and on social media.

“These are not cosmetic treatments; they are powerful medicines that can only be legally and safely dispensed against a prescription issued by a healthcare
professional.”