British authorities have uncovered and dismantled the first known illegal factory producing weight-loss drugs in the United Kingdom, in what officials described as a “world-first” operation and the largest single seizure of its kind globally.
The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) announced that the raid took place in Northampton on Wednesday, leading to the confiscation of tens of thousands of empty injection pens, raw chemical substances, and over 2,000 unlicensed weight-loss pens labeled as Retatrutide and Tirzepatide— powerful drugs currently under tight medical control.
“This was an illicit, unregulated operation producing untested and potentially deadly medicines,” said Andy Morling, head of the MHRA’s Criminal Enforcement Unit. “People must be extremely cautious when buying weight-loss products online and only obtain them from a registered pharmacy.”
The MHRA said the seized materials—alongside £20,000 in cash, packaging equipment, and advanced manufacturing tools—had an estimated street value exceeding £250,000.
“This operation dismantled an organized criminal network and prevented tens of thousands of unsafe products from reaching the public,” Morling added. “These fake medicines fuel a global black market that endangers lives and undermines legitimate healthcare.”
Health Secretary Wes Streeting hailed the operation as a major victory.
“This is a win against shameless criminals who risk lives for profit,” he said. “Don’t line the pockets of those who don’t care about your health.”
Growing Demand, Rising Risks
The crackdown comes amid soaring demand for new weight-loss drugs such as Mounjaro, which the NHS began prescribing in June under strict eligibility rules.
The weekly injection helps regulate appetite and reduce body weight, but it is available only for people meeting specific criteria — including those with a body mass index (BMI) of 40 or above (or 37.5 for some ethnic groups) and multiple health conditions such as type 2 diabetes, hypertension, heart disease, high cholesterol, or sleep apnoea.
Officials warn that counterfeit or unlicensed versions of these powerful medications—often sold through online channels or social media—can cause serious harm or death.
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