Investigation into illegal weight-loss medication being sold in Wrexham and Flintshire launched

A North Wales Police investigation has been launched into illegal weight-loss medication allegedly being advertised online and sold at beauty salons across Wrexham and Flintshire.

Warrants have taken place across three premises to date, where suspected Retatrutide - a medication not licensed in the UK - and suspected counterfeit medications purporting to be Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) and Semaglutide (Ozempic) have been recovered.

Three arrests have been made on suspicion of fraud by false representation.

Detective Inspector Claire Roberts said: “The investigation which is currently in its early stages is ongoing.

“We are urging people to be cautious and ask anyone with information in connection with the sale of counterfeit weight-loss medication to contact us.

“You can speak to us by calling 101 or via our website.”

A spokesperson for the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said: “Retatrutide is in clinical development and has not been approved for UK use.

“Outside of authorised clinical trials, any products being sold in the UK that claim to contain Retatrutide (and they may not) are being sold and supplied outside the legal supply chain and are potentially dangerous to your health.  

“Most authorised weight loss medicines are prescription-only, meaning that a consultation with a doctor or qualified healthcare professional must be conducted to assess the patient's suitability for the treatment. Prescription medicines is to be obtained from a registered pharmacy only against a valid prescription.

“Sourcing weight loss medicines from unregulated suppliers significantly increases the risk of getting a product which is either falsified or not approved for use in UK. Products bought in this way will not have been tested to ensure they meet the MHRA’s strict safety and quality standards and could expose patients to incorrect dosages or dangerous ingredients. The MHRA has previously issued warnings after seizures of falsified Ozempic pens were found to contain insulin.”

Rick Lines, Head of Substance Misuse Programme, Public Health Wales, added: “People should be aware that buying prescription medicines from unofficial sources online or through social media groups carries serious risks.

“There is no guarantee that what you think you are buying is what you are actually getting. Some drugs sold through unofficial sources – including those advertised for weight loss – may contain the wrong ingredients, dangerous levels of active substances, or no active ingredient at all. 

“Using prescription medicines without proper medical supervision can lead to serious side effects, unexpected interactions with other drugs, or harm to your health.

“Anyone concerned about their weight or any other health issue should speak to a GP or pharmacist for safe and trusted advice.”