A factory in Northampton has been raided and dismantled by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) due to allegations of manufacturing counterfeit weight-loss injections. The operation resulted in the seizure of tens of thousands of empty weight-loss pens, raw chemical ingredients, and over 2,000 unlicensed pens containing retatrutide and tirzepatide. Retatrutide is currently unlicensed in the UK, while tirzepatide, marketed as Mounjaro, is accessible through the NHS for specific patients.
Located on an industrial estate outside Northampton, the site is suspected of large-scale production, packaging, and distribution of these unlicensed weight-loss products. Authorities estimated that the potential street value of the finished products exceeds £250,000. The two-day search operation was part of the MHRA’s ongoing efforts to combat illegal trading in weight-loss medicines.
Health Secretary Wes Streeting commented on the raid, emphasizing the risks posed by unregulated products and advising the public to refrain from purchasing weight-loss medications from unofficial sources. He encouraged individuals to consult their GP and rely on NHS guidance to ensure the safety and appropriateness of obesity drugs.
The MHRA has reiterated warnings about acquiring illegal weight-loss medications from places like beauty salons and social media, which may contain harmful substances. Andy Morling, head of the MHRA’s criminal enforcement unit, highlighted the risks of obtaining prescription medicines from unregulated sources, stressing that such actions pose serious health threats due to potential contamination. He noted that the illicit market undermines legitimate healthcare and profits organized criminals.
This event raises questions about the extent of the illegal market for weight-loss products and the effectiveness of regulations in protecting public health.
Source: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/oct/24/northampton-factory-making-counterfeit-weight-loss-jabs-raided