What is the Medicines Regulatory Group (MRG) doing to address the issue of counterfeit weight-loss drugs in Northern Ireland?

The MRG has been conducting investigations, taking enforcement action, and working in partnership to tackle the problem. Over the past three years, they have recovered 600 units of counterfeit or unlicensed weight-loss medications and secured five successful prosecutions.

What types of dangerous products are criminals selling in Northern Ireland?

Authorities have discovered falsified and unlicensed injectable weight-loss medications, as well as "DIY kits" that include powdered ingredients and syringes, allowing customers to mix and inject the medication themselves.

Home / Health / Counterfeit Weight-Loss Drugs Hospitalize Dozens in Northern Ireland

Counterfeit Weight-Loss Drugs Hospitalize Dozens in Northern Ireland

Q: How can people in Northern Ireland avoid falling victim to these counterfeit weight-loss drugs?

Interim Head of the MRG, Aaron McKendry, advises the public to only obtain prescription-only medicines through their healthcare providers, who can properly assess the risks and benefits. Purchasing medications from unverified sources, such as social media or dubious websites, can be extremely dangerous.

7 Aug

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Summary

Spike in demand for weight-loss meds leads to rise in fake, unlicensed products
Falsified injectable meds cause adverse reactions and hospitalizations
Criminals now selling 'DIY kits' with powdered ingredients and syringes

As of August 7th, 2025, authorities in Northern Ireland have issued a stark warning about the growing threat of counterfeit weight-loss medications circulating in the region. Over the past few months, the Medicines Regulatory Group (MRG) has seen a significant spike in demand for these types of treatments, leading many people to turn to unregulated or unapproved sources.

Investigations by the MRG have uncovered falsified and unlicensed injectable weight-loss products in circulation, which have resulted in several people being hospitalized after suffering adverse reactions. The situation has become so dire that the authorities are now seeing criminals selling "DIY kits" that include the active ingredient in powdered form, along with syringes, allowing customers to mix and inject the medication themselves.

Peter Moore, the Senior Medicines Enforcement Officer, has emphasized the direct danger to public health posed by these uncontrolled and potentially dangerous products. The MRG has been working tirelessly to monitor the situation, conduct investigations, and take enforcement action, having recovered over 600 units of counterfeit or unlicensed weight-loss medications and securing five successful prosecutions over the past three years.

Interim Head of the MRG, Aaron McKendry, has also warned the public against purchasing medicines from unverified sources, such as social media platforms or dubious websites, as there is no way to ensure the quality or safety of these products. He has urged people to only obtain prescription-only medications through their healthcare providers, who can properly assess the risks and benefits.

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