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Health authorities issued an urgent public warning after unregulated products claiming to contain the experimental weight-loss drug Retatrutide were found being sold online and through social media.
The Superintendence of Public Health and the Malta Medicines Authority said in a joint statement that the substance is not authorised for public use anywhere in the world. No product containing Retatrutide has been approved for sale.
The alert follows a growing international trend in which the unlicensed drug – still in Phase 3 clinical trials – is being promoted as a “miracle solution” for weight loss on platforms such as TikTok, Instagram and Telegram. Sellers often direct buyers to encrypted messaging apps, and some have even run social media “giveaways” offering the unapproved injections as prizes.
Retatrutide, developed by Eli Lilly, is a novel “triple agonist” that targets three appetite-regulating hormones. Early trials have shown impressive weight loss of up to 24%, but the drug remains investigational and has not been cleared by the FDA, EMA or any other regulator.
Malta’s authorities warned that products sold through unauthorised channels may be falsified, counterfeit, improperly stored or contaminated. Potential risks include adverse health effects, allergic reactions, toxicity, infections and other serious harm.
“Members of the public are strongly urged to purchase medicines only from licensed pharmacies,” the statement said. It also advised avoiding any substance marketed as “research”, “experimental” or “not for human consumption”.
Similar warnings have been issued by UK regulators, who recently seized fake weight-loss pens worth over £250,000. TikTok and Instagram have removed numerous videos promoting the unapproved drug.
Malta’s authorities said enforcement action is under way to identify and withdraw such products from the market. Anyone suspecting illegal or unsafe products is urged to report them through official channels.
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