The British College of Aesthetic Medicine (BCAM) has responded to the growing concern surrounding counterfeit GLP-1 medications. According to Google Trends, searches for 'Mounjaro dupe' surged 100% in January.
The rapid rise of prescription weight-loss injections has created a poorly regulated grey market fuelled by unprecedented consumer demand.
Recent research from UCL, published in BMC Medicine and funded by Cancer Research UK, suggests that approximately 1.6 million adults in the UK have used GLP-1 weight-loss medications, such as Wegovy and Mounjaro, in the past year.
In November last year, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulation Agency (MHRA) dismantled what was believed to be the UK’s first illicit production facility for weight-loss medicine – and the largest single seizure of trafficked weight-loss medicines ever recorded globally.
The surge in demand and recent price increases have driven some patients toward unregulated online sellers, which poses a severe risk when the dose, purity, or safety of the product is unknown.
“For many people, GLP-1 medication can be a genuinely transformative tool, but it should always be started with proper medical support. Rising prices must never push patients into cutting corners with their health,” shares president of the British College of Aesthetic Medicine, Dr Sophie Shotter.
“A trusted prescriber and a reputable, regulated pharmacy are essential, and patients should expect to pay standard market rates for licensed medicines. If something appears significantly cheaper, that alone should prompt careful questioning.”
This pattern mirrors long-standing risks seen in cosmetic injectables, with counterfeit fillers and botulinum toxin posing a serious risk to the public.
Updated Vet It Before You Get It campaign
In response, BCAM has expanded its public safety campaign, Vet It Before You Get It, to explicitly include GLP-1 weight-loss medicines alongside cosmetic injectables.
“Whether it’s a dermal filler or a GLP-1 injection, the risk is the same if sourcing, prescribing, and governance aren’t robust,” comments chief operating officer of BCAM, Sadie Van Sanden Cooke.
“Vet It Before You Get It was created to protect patients from unsafe cosmetic treatments, but the same principles now apply urgently to weight-loss medications,” she adds. “If you cannot verify the prescriber, the pharmacy, and the product’s regulatory status, you should not proceed.”
How to spot counterfeit weight loss medication
BCAM’s advice is simple: if it’s not licensed, don’t use it. If you are unsure, pause and ask questions. If answers aren’t clear, walk away.
It is vital to educate patients on the safety implications surrounding counterfeit medications.
In the UK, only Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Saxenda are licensed for weight management on prescription in the UK.
Other popular names, including Ozempic and Rybelsus, are licensed in the UK for type 2 diabetes, but they are not licensed for weight management in the same way as Wegovy.
Patients and professionals can check whether a weight loss product is licensed by:
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Checking the Eli Lily website for Mounjaro
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Checking the Novo Nordisk website for Wegovy
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Looking for a batch number and expiry date on the box/pen that look professionally printed and consistent.
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Looking for sealed, tamper-evident packaging, clear labelling, and a patient information leaflet.
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Ensuring that the medicine name, dose strength, batch number, and expiry date are consistent across packaging and documentation.
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Licensed GLP-1 medicines should be supplied via a regulated UK pharmacy. Check that your pharmacy is registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council
Red Flags
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No proper screening or consultation before prescribing
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No prescription needed
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Sales via social media, messaging apps, salons, or non-pharmacy websites
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No clear UK pharmacy details, no follow-up care, or unclear storage instructions
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