Fake weight-loss medicines: what patients in the West Midlands need to know

On 15 October 2026, the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) announced that more than 12,000 fake weight-loss pens had been seized during a Birmingham raid on 14 October 2026.

The seizure is a reminder that counterfeit and unregulated medicines can reach patients through unofficial channels, and that the risks of using them are real.

Fake or unregulated weight-loss medicines may contain the wrong dose, no active ingredient, or harmful contaminants. They are not stored or handled to the standards required of licensed medicines, and their use is not supervised by a clinician.

Without clinical oversight, there is no assessment of whether a medicine is appropriate for you, no monitoring of side effects, and no way to be certain of what you are actually taking.

Only obtain prescription weight-loss medicines through a regulated clinic and a registered pharmacy. A prescriber should assess your suitability, explain the risks and benefits, and arrange appropriate monitoring before and during treatment.

You can check that a pharmacy is registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council, and that prescribers are registered with their professional regulator. If a seller cannot provide this information, or offers medicines without a consultation, that is a clear warning sign.

Be cautious of unusually low prices, medicines supplied without any clinical assessment, or sellers operating outside the UK's regulatory framework.

At Smiths Medical Group, weight-loss treatment begins with a clinical consultation and a review of your health history. Any medicine is prescribed only when clinically appropriate and supplied through regulated, trusted sources, with ongoing monitoring throughout your care.

If you have concerns about a medicine you have been offered, or you would like to discuss safe, clinically supervised weight management, please contact our team.