Counterfeit Mounjaro Seized In UK: Our Vetted Price Checks Have Never Been More Vital

By Dr Mark Larkin,  PhD, Medical Director, Pharmacy Price Hound

The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has raided and shut down an illegal factory in Northampton which was manufacturing and filling thousands of counterfeit weight-loss pens. This isn’t a story from a distant country; this was happening here, on our doorstep, supplying a dangerous black market that preys on patients.

The seriousness of the problem was highlighted  by Health Secretary Wes Streeting, MP, who said, “This is a victory in the fight against the shameless criminals who are putting lives at risk by peddling dangerous and illegal weight loss jabs to make a quick buck.”

Here at Pharmacy Price Hound we have a clear mission: to help you find the best price, not the lowest price at any cost. There is a crucial difference, one that has been thrown into stark relief by this disturbing news story this week, and only builds on the threat we previously highlighted in our 14th October article explaining the serious risk of counterfeit retatrutide.

In this article we look at the concrete evidence of the threat to patients from unregulated medicines, reinforcing why we set up the service we provide – comparing prices only from UK-regulated pharmacies – is a critical line of defence for your health.

The Northampton Raid: A Wake-Up Call

The raid on the Northampton facility unearthed an “Aladdin’s cave” of counterfeiting equipment. It was unhygienic, unregulated, and capable of producing thousands of fake pens, complete with counterfeit packaging and leaflets designed to mimic real medicines.

This is the grim reality of the parallel medicine market. It’s not just about drugs being diverted from other countries; it’s about criminal enterprises manufacturing complete fakes in unsanitary conditions, with a complete disregard for patients’ safety.

The Tangible Health Risks of Unregulated Medicines

When you buy medicine from an unregulated source, you are volunteering for a dangerous experiment. The risks are not theoretical, but real and potentially fatally, as summarized below:

• The Ingredients are Unknown and Potentially Toxic. Andy Morling, the head of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s (MHRA) criminal enforcement unit, described the seizure as a “landmark result and a major blow to the illegal trade. These counterfeit products could contain “anything”.
• No active ingredient: You may be injecting saline or water, receiving no therapeutic benefit while your underlying condition goes untreated.
• Incorrect dosage: The dose could be far too high, leading to severe hypoglycaemia, debilitating nausea, vomiting, or even acute pancreatitis.
• Contaminants: Bacteria, heavy metals, or other toxic substances can be introduced during the unsanitary manufacturing process, leading to severe infections, blood poisoning, or long-term organ damage.
• Sterility is Non-Existent. Licensed medicinal factories operate under “Clean Room” conditions with rigorous sterility testing, and regular inspections. The Northampton unit was found in an industrial estate, with no evidence of such protocols. Injecting a non-sterile solution can introduce pathogens directly into your body, causing serious localised infections or systemic sepsis.
• You Are On Your Own. When you obtain a medicine through a legitimate, UK-regulated pharmacy, you are supported by a qualified pharmacist and a prescribing clinician. They check for contraindications, advise on side effects, and monitor your progress. With a counterfeit, you have no safety net. If something goes wrong, there is no help or accountability.

The Driver: Demand, Hype, and The Cost of Living Crisis

Why would someone take such a risk? The answer lies in a perfect storm of high demand, social media hype, and the very real cost of private prescriptions.

GLP-1 weight-loss drugs like semaglutide (Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) are highly effective, but their prices on the private market can be significant. High demand, coupled with occasional supply shortages of licensed products, creates a vacuum that criminals are all too happy to fill.

Estimated Monthly Private Prescription Cost for Weight Loss GLP-1s (UK)

Drug (Brand) | Typical Monthly Cost (Private) | UK Licence Status for Weight Loss

• Tirzepatide (Mounjaro)| £250 – £400 | Licensed
• Liraglutide (Saxenda) £150 – £250 | Licensed
• Semaglutide (Wegovy) | £200 – £300 | Licensed
• Retatrutide | N/A | Not Licensed

Faced with these prices, a cheaper offer from a social media advert or an encrypted messaging app can seem tempting. But as the Northampton raid proves, that “bargain” may be a dangerous counterfeit.

How Pharmacy Price Hound Protects You

This is the very reason we built our service. We understand that cost is a major factor in healthcare decisions. Our role is to ensure that your search for value does not compromise your safety.

• We Only Work With Regulated Pharmacies: Every pharmacy listed on Pharmacy Price Hound is registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). You can be certain they meet the highest standards of practice, storage, and professionalism.
• Regulated Supply Chain: The medicines supplied by our partner pharmacies come from genuine, regulated UK wholesalers or directly from the manufacturers. The integrity of the supply chain is guaranteed.
• We Give You Peace of Mind: When you use our site to compare prices, you are comparing like-for-like, genuine products. You can make an informed financial decision…without gambling with your health.

Our Verdict: Value is More Than Price

The discovery of a counterfeit factory in Northampton is a stark reminder that the threat of fake medicines is real and present in the UK, and may be just the tip of the iceberg. The pursuit of a cheaper, unregulated product is a false economy where the potential cost is your health.

Let us be your trusted partner. Use our free tool to find the best legitimate price from a pharmacy you can trust. Sign up for email alerts to get the most up to date pricing information. Your safety is our highest priority, and it must be non-negotiable.

Disclaimer: this article is intended for information only and should not replace medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional, like your GP or pharmacist, before starting any new medication or treatment. We are not liable for any actions taken based on this content.

Dr Mark Larkin,  PhD, Medical Director, Pharmacy Price Hound

References and Further Reading

1. The Guardian. (2025). Northampton factory making counterfeit weight-loss jabs raided. [https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/oct/24/northampton-factory-making-counterfeit-weight-loss-jabs-raided https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/oct/24/northampton-factory-making-counterfeit-weight-loss-jabs-raided
2. MHRA. The Falsified Medicines Programme. https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-falsified-medicines-directive-safety-features https://www.gov.uk/guidance/the-falsified-medicines-directive-safety-features
3. General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC). (n.d.). Check the Register. https://www.pharmacyregulation.org/registers/pharmacy https://www.pharmacyregulation.org/registers/pharmacy (Use this to verify any online pharmacy)
4. NHS. How to spot fake medicines online. https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/pharmacies/how-to-spot-fake-medicines-online/ https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/pharmacies/how-to-spot-fake-medicines-online/
5. MHRA products website. https://products.mhra.gov.uk/