Preston residents are being warned of potentially fatal fake weight loss injections, with health experts urging people to be cautious of self-funding the medication and purchasing it online.
Weight loss jabs, often referred to as ‘skinny jabs’ have been dominating the news for months.
Medications like Mounjaro and Wegovy have risen rapidly in popularity, and many people are turning to them to shed the pounds.
Read more: Opinion: The weight stigma and what I’ve uncovered in my Preston research so far
The jabs have been been described as both a risky quick fix and applauded as a medical game changer.
But as they become increasingly easier to access without an NHS prescription, experts warn that the rise in online sales has also led to an increase in dangerous counterfeit products.
Katie Smolski, an advanced clinical pharmacist and lecturer in prescribing at the University of Lancashire says it is vital that people are able to identify genuine medications.
She told Blog Preston: “If the public feel they want to self-fund, then it’s important they go to a reputable supplier, ideally a high street pharmacy.
“Some of the high street supermarket chains have pharmacies that will prescribe these medications safely.
“But if you’re buying online be really wary of anything that comes in a vial. Mounjaro and Wegovy come in a pre-filled pen, and it’s very specific so anything that you have to make up won’t be real.
“If it’s a powder or a liquid involving a syringe or a needle, it’s not going to be genuine.”
There are reports that some fake products sold as Mounjaro or Wegovy are actually repackaged insulin pens, which can have serious consequences.
Ms Smolski said: “Insulin pens look exactly the same as weight loss drugs so some unscrupulous people are getting hold of the insulin and re-bagging it.
“Insulin can be fatal if you’re not diabetic. Even as much as 10 units could kill you. It plunges your blood sugar levels and can put you into a coma.”
She added: “If you’re going to self-fund please make sure you do it through somewhere reputable.”
On Tuesday (27 January) evening Ms Smolski will join a group of other academics and medical professionals at a free panel discussion hosted by the University of Lancashire.
The event, entitled ‘Weight Loss Jabs – What Do You Need to Know?’ will explore the science behind the injections and provide tips on how to safely identify and use them.
The event will take place in the university’s Darwin Building with registration starting at 5.40pm. Tickets are free and available to reserve online.
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