Health experts are warning Kiwis to steer clear of illicit weight loss injections being sold online. Following a BBC investigation that revealed fake drugs marketed as the prescription. Only medicine semaglutide — are being distributed through social media sellers.

The investigation found syringes advertised as semaglutide. The active ingredient in popular weight loss medications like Ozempic and Wegovy. These weight loss products were readily available for purchase on Facebook and were shipped from vendors located in England. When tested, the substances contained no semaglutide — only carnitine, a harmless but ineffective supplement commonly sold in health stores.

A leading GP said the growing global trend of buying prescription drugs through unverified online sources is “dicing with death,” warning that users have no control over the contents or production standards of these unregulated injections.

“These products could contain anything — from contaminated substances to dangerous chemicals,” the GP said. “People risk severe side effects, infections, or even death by using unverified weight-loss drugs.”

Authorities in the UK including the Police Service of Northern Ireland (PSNI) have launched investigations. The criminal networks manufacturing and selling the fake jabs. They say many are produced in unsanitary, makeshift labs, posing extreme health risks to unsuspecting buyers.

New Zealand health professionals are urging locals to remain vigilant noting. The social media adverts and overseas sellers often target consumers looking for fast, low-cost alternatives to medically supervised treatments.

Pharmac and Medsafe advise that semaglutide is a prescription-only medication within New Zealand and can only be obtained from a registered medical practitioner or licensed pharmacy.

“If it’s not prescribed by your doctor, it’s not safe,” a Ministry of Health spokesperson said.

Residents are encouraged to report suspicious online advertisements to Medsafe or Netsafe, and to seek professional medical advice before starting any weight-loss treatment.