Some 18,316 illegal or unregulated weight loss and diabetes meds were seized at UK borders from January 2024 to June 2025 and the problem is only going to get worse
Britons have been warned over the rise of fake fat loss pills flooding the country. Some 18,316 illegal or unregulated weight loss and diabetes meds were seized at UK borders from January 2024 to June 2025, which works out to around 34 a day.
The bogus gear could cause severe abdominal pain and heart problems. It comes as research shows 22% of people quizzed feared their weight shedding drugs might be fake but chose to take the risk.
And 11% bought their tablets from social media or influencers with millennials the most likely to turn to these channels, the research by online doctor firm ZAVA found.
Dr Kathryn Basford, at ZAVA, warned: “Obtaining weight-loss medications outside of licensed healthcare organisations is extremely risky, especially through online marketplaces and social platforms.
“Unlike registered pharmacies, these platforms do not follow the same stringent safety protocols, which means anyone can sell products without proper verification of their source, ingredients or manufacturing standards.”
Signs to spot bogus medicine include it being sold cheaper, poor quality packaging and checking if the chemist is regulated by the General Pharmaceutical Council.
Dr Basford added: “Using these unregulated products can lead to serious health complications like severe abdominal pain and heart palpitations or irregular heartbeats, so it’s vital that people only use medications prescribed and dispensed by qualified healthcare professionals.
“This not only ensures the product is safe and effective but also that users receive proper supervision and follow-up care, which are essential when using medications that can affect metabolism and hormone levels.”
The research also found 21% of weight-loss medication users didn’t have their drugs prescribed by a healthcare professional.
Meanwhile, health authorities carried out the largest ever raid of unlicensed weight loss treatments last month. The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency seized 12,000 doses in Northamptonshire.
Meanwhile, weight loss tablet Wegovy is set to hit UK pharmacy shelves this summer.