North Yorkshire Police have launched an urgent investigation after a woman was hospitalised after using weight-loss jabs allegedly purchased from a local salon.
The force revealed that a woman from Selby had received treatment in intensive care for suspected internal injuries after administering the jab. However, she has since been released.
According to the BBC, the woman was one of three individuals who became unwell after using the medication.
Two women, aged 32 and 37, have since been arrested on suspicion of administering a poison, with a 58-year-old arrested on suspicion of supplying prescription-only medication.
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The group has since been released on bail.
Police are now urging people to be wary of purchasing weight-loss medication from private clinics of salons, saying there is a significant risk of 'getting a product which is either falsified or not licensed for use in the UK'.
Using diabetes medications such as Ozempic, Wegovy and Mounjaro for weight-loss purposes has become hugely popular over the past couple of years.
Licensing around using the above drugs for weight-loss purposes in the UK is currently under review, with only Mounjaro and Wegovy being approved for weight management by the NHS.
Patients also need a prescription to obtain the injections legitimately, which has led to people purchasing them online. The spike in people buying the jabs from unofficial channels has lead to patients ending up hospitalised with complications.
"There has been a lot of attention in the media and on social media about these so-called 'skinny jabs', but as with any medicines bought outside of legitimate supply chains, the contents may not match the ingredients on the label," NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) chief pharmacy officer, Laura Angus said.
"If you are thinking of buying a weight-loss medicine, please talk to a healthcare professional first.
"The only way to guarantee you receive a genuine weight-loss medicine is to obtain it from a legitimate pharmacy – including those trading online – using a prescription issued by a healthcare professional."
Andy Morling, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency's deputy director of criminal enforcement, added: "Weight loss medicines are powerful medications and should only be used under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional.
"Public safety is our top priority, and our Criminal Enforcement Unit works tirelessly with partners to prevent, detect and investigate illegal activity involving medicines and medical devices."
He continued: "Buying so-called weight loss medicines from illegal suppliers significantly increases the risk of receiving products that are either falsified or not licensed for use in the UK.
"Products purchased in this way will not meet the MHRA's strict quality and safety standards, and taking such medicines may put one's health at risk."
Brenna Cooper