An urgent warning has been issued to individuals seeking weight-loss solutions against purchasing so-called 'Ozempic-like' pills from social media platforms, as fears escalate over a widespread influx of dangerous counterfeit versions online. This alert coincides with pharmaceutical giant Eli Lilly's announcement regarding its new once-a-day tablet, orforglipron, which operates similarly to the breakthrough injection Ozempic. Eli Lilly has indicated a potential worldwide rollout of orforglipron as early as next year, promising "no supply constraints" for the legitimate drug.

Despite the future promise of regulated treatments, health officials are already grappling with the proliferation of fake versions being sold online, which expose users to significant risks including contaminated, incorrectly dosed, or entirely inert products. Websites have been found offering these drugs at dramatically reduced prices, with one site listing a month's supply for just £79, a quarter of the cost of legitimate Mounjaro, which can exceed £330. Another vendor, Wolverine Peptides, offered a 30-day supply for £163.

Like Ozempic, Wegovy, and Mounjaro, orforglipron functions by targeting GLP-1 receptors in the body to suppress appetite and extend feelings of fullness. While legitimate versions can cause side effects such as nausea, diarrhoea, and rarely, pancreatitis, the gravest dangers stem from fake or unregulated alternatives. Experts warn that these illicit products may contain toxic substances, incorrect dosages, or completely lack any active ingredient, potentially leading to severe long-term health consequences like liver or kidney damage. Dr Leyla Hannbeck of the Independent Pharmacies Association noted that sachets and tablets sold on platforms like TikTok for as little as £30 often lack proper ingredients, directions, or markings, raising serious concerns about their contents.

Many illicit firms exploit legal loopholes by labelling these products "for research only" or "not for human use" when shipping them to the UK, thereby attempting to evade penalties for illegally selling prescription medicines. This practice preys on individuals unable to afford legitimate treatments. Andy Morling from the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has cautioned that "buying any medicine from illegal online suppliers significantly increases the risk of receiving falsified or unlicensed products." The MHRA actively collaborates with law enforcement and online platforms to remove illegal medicines and prosecute those responsible, though many counterfeit drugs continue to circumvent these efforts. In the UK, it is illegal to buy or possess unlicensed medicines, including orforglipron, and promoting prescription-only drugs can incur fines or imprisonment.

Eli Lilly has further clarified that orforglipron has not yet received review or approval from any regulatory agency globally, meaning its legal sale for human use is currently impossible. A spokesperson emphasized that purchasers of counterfeit or black market medicines—even those labeled "for research use only"—have no guarantee of their contents. These products are untested, lack regulatory oversight for safety, quality, or efficacy, and pose a serious risk to patients, potentially containing harmful substances or no active ingredient whatsoever. The only assured way to obtain genuine weight-loss medicine is through a registered pharmacy.

Reports of fake slimming injections emerged in the UK in August 2023, with several individuals subsequently hospitalized due to life-threatening side effects after injecting counterfeit versions. Experts reveal that many of these fake injections do not contain active ingredients like semaglutide or tirzepatide but are often repackaged insulin pens. When injected, the resulting insulin surge can cause a rapid and dangerous drop in blood sugar, which can be fatal. Health officials have seized over 600 potentially fake Ozempic pens across the UK since early 2023.

In contrast to the dangers of illicit products, leading obesity specialists, including the European Association for the Study of Obesity, have recently advocated for Mounjaro and Wegovy to become first-line treatments for obesity due to their "unprecedented" effectiveness and broad health benefits. Clinical trials demonstrate that patients using semaglutide (active ingredient in Ozempic and Wegovy) lose an average of 14 percent of body weight over 72 weeks, while those on tirzepatide (Mounjaro) shed around 20 percent in the same period.

However, despite the efficacy, making these powerful injections immediately available to all 16 million obese adults in Britain could overwhelm the NHS and create unsustainable pressure on clinics. Currently, these treatments are offered by the health service only to patients with severe obesity and related conditions, with others needing to pay privately at a typical cost of around £200 per month.