Category: North Edinburgh News

Pharmacist warns arrival of oral GLP-1 treatments could give patients more choice, but may also create opportunity for counterfeit sellers

The arrival of daily GLP-1 weight-loss tablets could change how thousands of people access weight-management treatment, particularly those previously put off by injections.

But a UK pharmacist is warning that the growing market for weight-loss pills could also create a new opportunity for counterfeiters, with tablets potentially easier to disguise, package and sell online than injectable pens.

Foundayo, the brand name for orforglipron, has been approved in the UK for weight management and type 2 diabetes and is expected to become available privately.

Developed by Eli Lilly, the pharmaceutical company behind Mounjaro, Foundayo has already been dubbed the “Mounjaro pill”. However, the two are different medicines. Mounjaro contains tirzepatide and is administered as a weekly injection, while Foundayo contains orforglipron and is taken as a daily tablet.

Sobia Qasim, Superintendent Pharmacist at UK online pharmacy Curely, says the development could be significant for patients who have previously avoided GLP-1 treatment because of injections. She said: “For some people, the biggest barrier to considering weight-loss medication isn’t necessarily the treatment itself. It’s the fact that it involves injecting themselves.

“Having an oral option could make GLP-1 treatment feel much more accessible to people who are uncomfortable with needles or simply prefer taking medication as a tablet.

“But increased demand also creates an opportunity for illegal sellers. We’ve already seen counterfeit weight-loss injections circulating, and tablets could present a different challenge because people are much more accustomed to receiving pills through the post.”

Why weight-loss tablets could become a target for counterfeiters

The MHRA has repeatedly warned consumers about fake and illegally supplied weight-loss medicines.

Almost £45 million worth of illegal medicines were seized in the UK during 2025, while counterfeit GLP-1 products discovered previously have contained incorrect ingredients, no active medicine and, in some cases, potentially dangerous substances.

In February 2026, the MHRA also confirmed that a falsified version of a Mounjaro injection had been supplied through an online pharmacy in the UK.

Sobia says the shift towards tablets could make it even more important for patients to check where their medication is coming from: “A tablet may instinctively feel less suspicious than an injection because we’re used to seeing medicines in bottles and blister packs.

“That familiarity can create a false sense of security. A professional-looking box, blister pack or website does not prove that a medicine is genuine.

“Counterfeiters can reproduce colours, logos, packaging and batch information extremely convincingly. The most important checks are around who prescribed the medicine and who supplied it.”

Seven signs a weight-loss pill could be fake

Sobia says consumers should be particularly cautious if:

It is being sold through social media messages

Prescription weight-loss medicines should not be bought through private messages, marketplace listings or informal social media accounts.

There is no medical consultation

A regulated provider should assess your health, current medicines and eligibility before prescribing treatment.

The seller guarantees a specific amount of weight loss

Individual results vary. Guaranteed outcomes should immediately raise questions about the provider.

You are pressured to buy quickly

Countdown timers, “limited stock” claims and urgent payment requests can discourage people from checking whether a seller is legitimate.

The price seems unusually cheap

A significantly lower price may indicate that a product is fake, unlicensed, incorrectly stored or illegally obtained.

The tablets arrive loose or in unfamiliar packaging

Prescription medicines should arrive appropriately sealed and labelled with dosage and patient information.

You cannot identify the registered pharmacy supplying it

Consumers should be able to establish which pharmacy is dispensing their medication and verify its registration with the appropriate UK regulator.

The pill won’t necessarily replace weight-loss injections

Despite excitement around oral GLP-1 treatments, Sobia says patients shouldn’t assume tablets will automatically be a better choice than injections.

“The biggest development isn’t that tablets are replacing injections. It’s that patients are gaining another option.

“Convenience means different things to different people. Someone who already takes daily medication may find a tablet incredibly straightforward. Someone else may prefer having to think about their treatment only once a week.

“Treatment suitability goes far beyond whether someone would prefer a pill or injection. Your health, existing medication, ability to follow the treatment and clinical circumstances all need to be considered by an appropriate prescriber.”

Could tablets make travelling easier?

The introduction of oral GLP-1 treatment could also appeal to people concerned about travelling with injectable medication and associated equipment.

Sobia said: “For some patients, travelling with tablets rather than injection equipment may feel simpler and more discreet, particularly when flying or moving between destinations.

“However, that doesn’t remove the usual precautions around travelling with prescription medication. It should remain in its original packaging and patients should always check the specific storage and travel guidance for the medicine they’ve been prescribed.”

What to check before ordering weight-loss medication online

Before purchasing any prescription weight-loss treatment online, Curely recommends checking that the provider requires a genuine clinical assessment, uses an appropriately qualified prescriber and dispenses medication through a registered UK pharmacy.

Patients should also be asked about existing health conditions and medication, receive clear dosage and safety information and have access to ongoing professional support.

Sobia said: “The checks around the medicine are just as important as the product itself.

“Who prescribed it? Was a proper consultation completed? Which registered pharmacy supplied it? Can you contact a healthcare professional if something goes wrong?

If those questions cannot be answered clearly, do not take the medication.”

What to do if you think a weight-loss medicine is fake

Anyone who believes they have received counterfeit or suspicious medication should avoid taking another dose until they have spoken to a pharmacist or doctor.

Consumers should keep the packaging, receipt and details of the website or seller. Suspected counterfeit medicines and adverse reactions can also be reported through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme.

Sobia added: “People may feel embarrassed if they’ve bought medication from an unofficial seller, but healthcare professionals need to know exactly what may have been taken so they can provide the right treatment.

“Do not throw the packaging away and don’t assume feeling unwell is simply a normal side effect. With an unregulated product, there is no reliable way to know what it contains or what dose has been supplied.

“As more weight-loss treatments become available, patients will have more choice, which is positive. But whichever format someone chooses, the safest route remains a properly regulated service offering clinical assessment, genuine medication and ongoing professional support.”