The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) and West Midlands Police have seized counterfeit weight loss pens worth approximately £2 million in a raid on an industrial unit in Birmingham. More than 12,000 fake retatrutide and tirzepatide pens were recovered, together with packaging for around 30,000 more products.
Raid on a Birmingham industrial unit
The raid was carried out on 14 October 2026, the MHRA said in an announcement published on 15 October. It was conducted jointly by the regulator and West Midlands Police.
The operation was led on the MHRA side by its Criminal Enforcement Unit (CEU), the agency’s in-house law enforcement function. The CEU leads the agency’s response to medicines crime. Its work includes intelligence analysis, online disruption, covert techniques and asset recovery, and it works closely with police and law enforcement agencies in the UK and overseas.
Regulator warns of risks from unregulated products
Tim Duffield, Head Intelligence at the MHRA’s Criminal Enforcement Unit, said: “We are tackling the organised criminal gangs whose illegal trade in unauthorised medicines puts people at risk of serious harm.”
“Our officers seized around £2 million worth of fake weight loss medicines from a filthy warehouse on an industrial estate. These products have not been assessed for safety, quality or effectiveness, and there is no guarantee of what they contain or whether they have been contaminated with harmful substances,” he said.
Retatrutide not authorised in the UK
The MHRA pointed out that one of the products targeted by the gang has no UK authorisation. “Retatrutide has not been authorised for use in the UK. Products being sold as retatrutide outside legitimate clinical trials are being supplied illegally and could pose serious risks to public health,” Duffield said.
He added: “We urge people to avoid buying weight-loss medicines from unregulated sources. Anyone considering GLP-1 treatment should speak to a healthcare professional and only obtain medicines from a registered pharmacy against a valid prescription.”
Latest in a series of operations against counterfeit weight loss pens
According to the MHRA, the October raid is the latest in a series of operations that have removed tens of thousands of doses of unauthorised GLP-1 weight loss medicines from circulation. Earlier actions include:
- May 2026: two people were arrested after a raid on a country estate believed to have been used to manufacture, assemble and distribute unlicensed weight loss medicines. Around 12,000 doses were recovered, along with packaging materials and suspected pharmaceutical substances.
- February 2026: around 2,000 doses of unauthorised weight loss medicines awaiting dispatch were seized, alongside manufacturing equipment, suspected pharmaceutical ingredients, packaging and commercial vehicles.
- October 2025: the MHRA dismantled the first illicit weight loss medicine production facility discovered in the UK. It seized 5,000 unauthorised retatrutide and tirzepatide pens, thousands of empty pens and raw chemical ingredients, which together represented the potential for tens of thousands of doses.
Guidance and side-effect reporting
The MHRA directs the public to its FakeMeds website for guidance on staying safe when buying medicines online. Anyone who suspects they are having a side effect from a medicine is encouraged to speak to their doctor, pharmacist or nurse and report it directly through the MHRA Yellow Card scheme.
The MHRA regulates all medicines and medical devices in the UK and is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care.
Frequently asked questions
How many counterfeit weight loss pens were seized in Birmingham?
Over 12,000 fake retatrutide and tirzepatide pens were seized, along with packaging for around 30,000 more products. The MHRA valued the seized medicines at approximately £2 million.
When and where did the MHRA raid take place?
The raid took place on 14 October 2026 at an industrial unit in Birmingham. It was carried out by the MHRA and West Midlands Police.
How does the MHRA advise people to obtain GLP-1 weight loss medicines safely?
The MHRA urges people to avoid buying weight loss medicines from unregulated sources. Anyone considering GLP-1 treatment should speak to a healthcare professional and only obtain medicines from a registered pharmacy against a valid prescription.
How can a suspected side effect from a medicine be reported?
Anyone who suspects a side effect is encouraged to speak to their doctor, pharmacist or nurse. They can also report it directly to the MHRA Yellow Card scheme.
