Fake Fat Jabs Alert: Brits Urged to Check Mounjaro Pens

Health officials have issued an urgent warning to thousands of UK residents using Mounjaro, advising them to check their fat-loss injections for authenticity. A counterfeit Mounjaro KwikPen 15mg, which is also prescribed for Type 2 diabetes, was found to be distributed by an online pharmacy based in Birmingham.

The Medicines and Healthcare Regulatory Agency (MHRA) discovered five faulty pens linked to a single supplier. These counterfeit pens carry the batch number D873576. While the batch number is real, it belongs to a 7.5mg pen, meaning all 15mg pens with this number are fake. Patients with a 15mg pen featuring this batch number are instructed to cease use immediately and report it to the MHRA.

Although the fake pens appear to contain the active ingredient tirzepatide, they were not manufactured to safety standards and may not be sterile. Concerns have been raised as the dose knob has detached during use in some identified cases, increasing the risk of contamination and infection. No serious harm requiring treatment has been reported to the MHRA so far, but the potential for infection remains a concern.

The pharmacy involved, The Private Pharmacy Clinic, is regulated by the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) and has been served a notice of conditions, allowing it to continue operating under restrictions during the ongoing investigation. This alert comes amid soaring demand for weight-loss injections in the UK, with many accessing them through online channels. Last year, UK officials seized a record number of illegal drugs, including nearly 20 million doses of unlicensed counterfeit medication valued at over £45 million.