A growing volume of unlicensed sellers are operating throughout the UK
There is a rise in unlicensed weight loss injections throughout the UK(Image: Getty Images)
A Birmingham pharmacist has warned the public over the ‘serious harm’ of purchasing weight loss medication online.
Ahsan Bhatti, the superintendent pharmacist at Frankley Pharmacy in Rubery said, illegal online sellers were using more sophisticated methods such as AI to target people seeking weight loss injections.
After a Freedom of Information Request, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) revealed a growing volume of unlicensed sellers were operating throughout the UK.
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The request revealed 5,851 falsified or unlicensed weight loss injections were seized by the MHRA last year; a huge rise from the 407 in 2023.
Ahsan said: “Weight-loss medicines are prescription-only for a reason. They’re powerful treatments that require proper clinical assessment and ongoing oversight.
“Unfortunately, we’re seeing more people using websites or social media sellers offering shortcuts, often at lower prices, without any meaningful checks – and that’s concerning for patients and the wider healthcare sector.”
Legitimate UK pharmacies must be registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council and clearly display their registration details, the name of the superintendent pharmacist and a physical UK address.
Another warning sign is lack of consultation; Ahsan advised that any pharmacy offering prescription medicines without a thorough medical questionnaire or assessment should raise immediate concerns.
“A proper consultation should look at medical history, existing conditions and suitability for treatment. If that step is missing, patient safety is being compromised.”
Unregulated medicines can pose serious health risks, including incorrect dosing, contamination or unknown ingredients.
Without proper prescribing and follow-up, patients may miss early signs of side effects or complications.
Ahsan added: “Weight-loss medicines are not suitable for everyone and should only be prescribed following appropriate clinical assessment.
““Taking a few minutes to check credentials and understand the process can make the difference between safe treatment and serious harm.”