One in 10 UK Pharmacies Report Online Cloning Amid Surge in Fake Weight-Loss Drug Sales

Criminals are impersonating legitimate online pharmacies to sell counterfeit weight-loss drugs, according to recent reports. The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) surveyed 100 pharmacies and found that roughly one in 10 had their online presence cloned by illicit sellers over the past 12 months.

Nearly two in five pharmacies encountered patients who unknowingly purchased fake weight-loss medications during the same period.

The NPA represents about 6,000 pharmacies across Britain. 2 per cent saying they were concerned about the illegal sale of these jabs and the risks that they pose. NPA board member Sehar Shahid, obesity specialist pharmacist and founder of 24HR Pharmacy, whose own business fell victim to cloning, has shared seven key red flags of fake or unregulated weight-loss jabs to watch out for.

Shahid provided guidance on identifying legitimate providers, stating that regulated weight-loss medication prices typically range from £130 to £300. She advised caution when prices are significantly lower, as this often indicates counterfeit products.

Shahid emphasized that regulated pharmacies conduct thorough medical history checks, including verifying patient weight, medical conditions, current medications, and mental wellbeing to ensure treatment suitability.

She highlighted payment methods as a key indicator of legitimacy, noting that regulated pharmacies process payments via secure card transactions on their websites and do not accept bank transfers, PayPal, or Bitcoin. Shahid also recommended verifying pharmacy registration with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and checking that the web domain matches the official register.

Additional red flags include minimal patient contact, unclear or discoloured injection liquids, broken seals, poor-quality packaging, and missing batch numbers or expiry dates.

Shahid explained that regulated medications undergo rigorous clinical trials to determine safe dosages and side effects, whereas counterfeit products pose unknown health risks and potential interactions with other medications or conditions.

““If you’re being offered a price that’s far below the market range and it seems too good to be true, be cautious, as it’s likely that the medication is not genuine.””

“— Sehar Shahid > “All regulated providers are responsible for having a two-way dialogue with patients and should undertake a full medical history check.””

“— Sehar Shahid > “If someone’s asking you to do a bank transfer or to pay via PayPal or via Bitcoin, that’s usually a red flag.””

“— Sehar Shahid”