Aisleyne Horgan-Wallace experienced a near-fatal reaction after using an unregulated weight loss injection she obtained via WhatsApp. Her case highlights growing concerns among authorities about the illegal sale of counterfeit weight loss drugs on the black market.
Horgan-Wallace, a former reality TV personality, described her ordeal, stating she endured “excruciating” pain and spent several days in and out of consciousness, fearing for her life. She attributed her suffering to a low-cost, unregulated weight loss injection purchased from a WhatsApp group, expressing regret for her decision: “I was mortified that I’d taken something that has done this to me,” she remarked. The counterfeit drug contained eight times the safe dosage of semaglutide, the active ingredient found in legitimate GLP-1 medications.
Semaglutide is commonly marketed under the brand names Ozempic and Wegovy and was initially developed for diabetes management. Recently, it has gained popularity for weight loss, leading to increased demand. Global shortages, lengthy wait times for prescriptions, and high costs have fueled a black market for these drugs in the UK, Australia, and beyond.
Andy Morling, who oversees criminal enforcement at the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, noted that criminals are exploiting the legitimate desire for weight loss by selling unlicensed and counterfeit medications. His agency has intercepted significant shipments and seized thousands of fake weight loss products from various supply networks. “These products are incredibly dangerous,” he warned.
In Australia, the Therapeutic Goods Association is collaborating with the Australian Border Force to address the rising influx of these illegal drugs.
Horgan-Wallace recounted her vulnerability following the deaths of two close friends, which led her to seek a quick solution for her weight concerns. “I was eating my feelings,” she shared, explaining her mental state at the time. After hearing about affordable weight loss products from a friend, she decided to investigate further. She was offered counterfeit GLP-1 drugs at a fraction of the legitimate cost, without the need for a prescription.
Upon receiving the unbranded drug in a syringe, Horgan-Wallace acknowledged the absence of instructions but still proceeded to use it, a decision that nearly resulted in her death. “It was horrific, it was something out of a horror film,” she described the experience.
The issue of unregulated weight loss drugs is widespread, with advertisements frequently appearing on social media platforms like TikTok and Instagram. Reports have surfaced, including one from ITV, detailing the death of a 53-year-old mother who injected a fake weight loss product, prompting numerous individuals to come forward with their own alarming experiences.
Demand for these medications remains high, especially as regulators in the UK and Australia enforce stringent eligibility criteria. In the UK, patients must have a body mass index (BMI) of 35 or higher to qualify for a prescription, categorizing them as moderately to severely obese. Similarly, in Australia, adults need a BMI of 30 or above, or a BMI of 27 in conjunction with a weight-related condition.
In response to the alarming trend of black market drug use, advocates in the UK are calling for reform to improve access to weight loss medications. Labour MP Carolyn Harris has been particularly vocal in urging the government to consider lowering medication costs and adjusting eligibility criteria, believing such changes could reduce the number of individuals turning to illegal sources for weight loss solutions.
