5 fat jab red flags after mum dies days after fake £20 'skinny jab'

A clinical pharmacist has sounded the alarm on signs to look out for when using 'fat jabs' after a British mum died following weight-loss injections. Karen McGonigal, 53, from Salford, passed away says after she was allegedly illegally administered a dose of semaglutide in May, having become "desperate" to lose weight when her long-term relationship ended, according to her three daughters.

The £20 shots were reportedly offered to the mum by a beautician after she was deemed ineligible to receive similar treatment on the NHS. 'Fat-jab' popularity has risen across the UK, with around 2.5million people handed prescriptions for legal versions of the drugs Mounjaro and Wegovy in July. Such demand has driven a growing black market, rife with counterfeit treatments that carry major health risks when not administered by a professional.

One of the most popular is tirzepatide, sold under the brand name Mounjaro, a weight loss medicine you inject yourself with once a week to make you feel fuller for longer.

"The rising demand for weight loss jabs has given way to a dangerous black market for unlicensed and counterfeit skinny jabs, which can hospitalise users," explained Kiran Jones, a clinical pharmacist at Oxford Online Pharmacy. "It is also alarming and deeply concerning to see 'Reta', short for Retatrutide, being advertised for sale online in the UK, which is not approved for human use."

A medicine watchdog in Northampton seized more than £250,000 worth of fake fat jabs last week, believed to be the world's biggest weight-loss drugs bust to date. "These products are untested, unauthorised and potentially deadly," said Andy Morling, who leads the Criminal Enforcement Unit at the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).

He added that people should be "extremely cautious" when purchasing medicines online, opting instead to get them from a registered pharmacy to avoid "harmful chemicals and incorrect dosages that may interact poorly with other medications."

"This can make them ineffective, but also potentially life-threatening," Mr Morling added.

Ms Jones has highlighted five red flags to keep an eye out for when considering a jab that isn't accessible through professional medical consultation. If you notice any of the red flags with products you are currently using, then stop immediately and seek professional healthcare advice.

Vial Packaging

Legitimate jabs come in pre-filled pens, not glass vials, according to the clinical pharmacist, as it suggests the product has been repackaged and potentially not approved or regulated.

"Legitimate weight-loss injectables like Wegovy are dispensed in pre-filled, pen-style devices designed for safe use. These vials are more susceptible to contamination and dosage inconsistencies."

Syringe Kits

Being asked to use your own syringe or receiving mismatched equipment is a red flag.

"If you're being asked to source your own syringes or are sent a kit with unmarked or mismatched equipment, it's a strong indicator that the product is unofficial or unregulated," Ms Jones explains.

"Incorrect syringe size or technique can lead to overdosing or injection site injuries and can introduce serious hygiene risks, including infections," she warned.

Cash Payments

Requests for cash or bank transfers suggest illegal activity; genuine pharmacies and clinics will only take secure, trackable payments.

Ms Jones said: "Cash or bank transfer requests are a common tactic among illegal sellers to avoid detection and create an untraceable transaction trail. This makes it incredibly difficult to track fraud, report sellers, or seek support if there's a problem."

Social Media Sales

Offers via TikTok or forums are very likely unregulated and unsafe. If it sounds too good to be true, then it probably is.

"Prescription medications should only be supplied by licensed medical professionals and regulated pharmacies." said Ms Jones. "There is no way to verify what the product contains, whether it's been stored correctly or if it's been tampered with."

Improper Storage

Jabs should be kept cold; warm deliveries may indicate degraded or unsafe products.

"If your product arrives warm, without cold packs, or has clearly been exposed to uncontrolled temperatures, its potency and safety are compromised," Ms Jones added. "Using degraded medication can lead to reduced effectiveness or dangerous side effects."