Urgent warning issued over Ozempic 'dupe' which costs $39 but comes with serious risks

Experts have warned against trying ‘black market’ weight loss drugs that have begun flooding the market.

With the increase in popularity of weight loss drugs in recent years, more people are coughing up the dough to help them shift the pounds.

While some people have been happy with the results, many have argued that it is rather costly, as people often have to pay upwards of $300 for their prescription.

Users on social media have discussed some of the fake and counterfeit versions available, arguing that they are significantly cheaper, as one person claimed they have paid as little as $39 for a month's worth.

However, doctors and industry experts have warned against doing this, as it can not only be illegal, but it can also cause serious health issues and complications.

Weight loss drugs and jabs have shot up in popularity in recent years (Getty Stock Image)

Some sellers have attempted to skirt around the legal issue by simply adding ‘for research purposes’ or ‘not for human consumption’ on the packaging.

Dr Leyla Hannbeck, chief of the Independent Pharmacies Association, spoke of the increase in fake GP1 drugs flooding the market now.

She said: “We're seeing sachets and tablets being purchased for as little as £30 online.

“They don’t list proper ingredients, directions or markings – goodness knows what’s inside them.

“Some people might just be wasting their money, but others could be putting something incredibly harmful in their body that causes long-term liver or kidney damage.”

Hannbeck also warned that younger people could be at greater risk as they are less likely to be able to afford to go down the legitimate routes when it comes to weight loss pills.

She added that criminals are more likely to take advantage of them due to the hype around weight loss jobs and pills at the moment.

A spokesperson from Eli Lily has also addressed the issue of nefarious groups or individuals attempting to sell one drug in particular, orforglipron, a daily weight loss pill still in development.

Experts have warned against buying counterfeit weight loss drugs, even if they are cheaper (Getty Stock Image)

They emphasized, most concerningly, that it has not been regulated by any agency and could pose serious risks to users who are buying it at this stage.

In a statement to The Sun, the spokesperson said: “Orforglipron has not been reviewed or approved by any regulatory agency anywhere in the world, and therefore, at this time, no one can legally sell orforglipron for human use.

“Use of unapproved, investigational products may expose patients to potentially serious health risks.”

The spokesperson even highlighted one of the biggest issues of buying counterfeit or black market drugs. Indeed, even if they say 'not for human consumption', there is no way of knowing what they contain.

The spokesperson continued: “People who purchase counterfeit or black market medicines (those sold from unregulated sources), including ‘research use only’ chemicals, have no way of knowing what they actually contain.

“They aren’t tested, have no regulatory oversight for safety, quality, or efficacy, and can pose a serious risk to patients.

“They may contain no active ingredient at all, or contain other harmful ingredients. No one should ever risk putting them into their bodies.”

UNILAD has contacted Novo Nordisk and Eli Lilly for comment.