Where there's demand for something, there's going to be supply, and where there's supply, there's going to be fake supply looking to profit off selling dodgy goods which look like the thing everybody wants.
When it comes to medication in high demand, weight loss jabs are particularly popular right now as they appear to work very effectively, and there are many people who would love to try them.
Unfortunately, the market selling fake weight loss jabs is up and running, with around two-thirds of people using the proper jabs being exposed to adverts trying to flog them the fake ones.
Around a third of people taking weight loss jabs have admitted to buying ones which they weren't sure were the genuine article, according to research from the Boots Online Doctor, while almost seven in 10 have been approached in person in places like gyms and beauty salons to sell dodgy weight loss drugs.
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Doctor Sue Kenneally, a weight management specialist for Boots Online Doctor, laid out six major red flags to look out for if you want to see whether someone is selling you a fake jab.
Registration issues
If you're buying weight loss drugs from somewhere, then the doctor says the first thing you should do is ask for their registration number and check to see if it's legitimate.
She explained that all private places selling drugs need to be registered with the Care Quality Commission or the General Pharmaceutical Council, and they'll have a number which you can cross-check with them.
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If they're not legitimate, then they won't have this number, and that person selling you jabs is trying to scam you.
Over-reassurance
"While these medicines might seem like a low-cost ‘quick fix’, buying them from illegal sellers, whether online or in person, can put your health at significant risk," Dr Kenneally said.
"If the price seems too good to be true, it probably is - these products may be fake, contaminated and incorrectly dosed, or contain ingredients not listed on the packaging, and taking them can lead to dangerous side effects."
She explained that it was this 'quick fix' you should be on the lookout for, as she warned that a seller who keeps talking about how this will sort things out for you without discussing other matters, such as eligibility or risks, then it should be a red flag.
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A lack of storage and delivery guidance
As you might imagine, medication needs to be transported and stored properly, but if a seller is not providing you with guidance on how to do that, then the doctor is warning that you should smell a rat.
She explained that if you're receiving GLP-1 medicines, then you should be provided with guidance on how to store them, how to keep them refrigerated and what to do if the batch you buy shows up warm.
No records after payment
When buying medication, you want a proper paper trail, so actual physical documents including 'consultation records, prescription details and aftercare contact'.
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Dr Kenneally warned that if everything was done via WhatsApp or Instagram messages that could be deleted after you'd paid, you should be very careful about what you bought.
If it's all done digitally, then someone selling fake weight loss jabs could wipe the conversations and scarper, leaving you with nothing to prove what had happened.
They skip to the strongest dose
When taking a GLP-1 drug, you will be started on a smaller dose, and as time goes by, you might increase your dosage to take more of it later on.
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Some scammers will not do this and instead try to sell you the highest dose possible from the beginning, which the doctor says should set off alarm bells.
Nobody ever tells you no
The final thing to look out for is that there is never a conversation about whether the medication you're supposed to be buying is actually right for you and whether you ought to be taking such a thing.
If nobody ever sits down with you and has that conversation that this might not be for you, then you ought to be wary.
The doctor said: “Weight loss medicines are prescription-only, which means they can only be accessed with a prescription from a registered clinician who will assess whether the medicine is clinically appropriate.
"Most registered healthcare providers, like Boots Online Doctor, also offer wrap-around care to support the weight loss journey alongside medication.”
Dr Kenneally recommended that anyone wanting to try weight loss drugs should speak to their GP first, as they may be eligible for a prescription on the NHS instead of buying privately.
Joe Harker