Black Market “Skinny Jabs” Flourishing in London Amidst Health Risks
A disturbing trend has emerged in London, with illegal weight loss injections, often dubbed “skinny jabs,” being openly sold in everyday establishments like pubs and fish and chip shops, according to a recent report. This alarming discovery highlights a significant loophole in current regulations and poses a serious threat to public health.
The investigation, conducted by the London Assembly’s health committee, uncovered evidence that goes beyond casual street sales. Personal trainers have also been implicated, offering clients boxes of weight loss medication. While some of these products might be genuine but not legally prescribed, the report stresses that a concerning number are outright counterfeits, presenting “serious risks to people’s health.”
Sukhi Basra from the National Pharmacy Association shared concerning anecdotal evidence, stating that patients have reported being approached by individuals in seemingly innocuous professions – facial therapists, hairdressers, or personal trainers – who then offer “skinny jabs.” Ms. Basra recounted a particularly troubling incident where one of her patients was shown a box of fake skinny jabs by a personal trainer who was openly advertising them.
This issue has not gone unnoticed by the broader media. A previous investigation by the Daily Mail in November brought to light how beauticians were capitalising on the surging demand for weight loss medications by selling dangerous injections to unsuspecting individuals.
The Global Reach of Counterfeit Drugs
The problem is further exacerbated by the potential for products to be shipped into the UK from providers operating outside the country’s regulatory framework. Neha Ramaiya, representing the General Pharmaceutical Council, informed the committee that legitimate prescriptions can be sent into the UK from providers within the EU and European Economic Area (EEA). However, this cross-border supply chain is an area currently “not being regulated” effectively.
The scale of the illicit trade is substantial. Between January 2024 and June 2025, approximately 18,000 illegal and counterfeit weight loss and diabetes medicines were intercepted at UK borders. Despite these seizures, it is suggested that some of these dangerous jabs may be evading enforcement efforts.
Compounding the problem are reports of Chinese laboratories capable of replicating genuine weight loss drugs and offering them at incredibly low prices, reportedly as little as £1.50 per vial. These cheap imitations are then purchased in bulk by dealers who subsequently sell them on for a profit, further fuelling the black market.
A Growing Threat to Public Health
Manufacturers of legitimate weight loss treatments are also voicing their concerns. Novo Nordisk, the company behind the popular weight loss jab Wegovy, has described fake medicines as a “serious and growing threat to public health.” Ms. Ramaiya echoed these sentiments, warning that the health consequences of consuming counterfeit medicines could be “potentially life-threatening.”
The health committee’s findings indicate that the current regulatory landscape is failing to adequately address the burgeoning issue of illicit weight loss drug sales. The committee gathered evidence from September to November 2025, hearing from a range of stakeholders including pharmacy owners, NHS hospital trusts, and health officials.
Recommendations for Action
In response to the escalating threat, the committee has put forth a series of recommendations. The final report advocates for “greater regulation and enforcement in this space.” It emphasises that achieving this will necessitate “significant collaboration across regulators and agencies, as well as regular monitoring of illegal channels, advertising and social media.”
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has been actively involved in combating this trade. In a recent operation, officers from the agency’s criminal enforcement unit seized nearly 2,000 doses of fake weight loss medication just hours before they were due to be dispatched to customers. This raid, which targeted two properties in Lincolnshire and Nottingham, is part of an ongoing investigation into an organised crime syndicate suspected of producing and distributing these harmful treatments. The continued efforts by agencies like the MHRA underscore the serious and ongoing nature of this challenge to public safety.
