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The General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) is urging the public to always check an online pharmacy is registered with the GPhC following the launch of oral semaglutide (Wegovy; Novo Nordisk).
As part of a social media campaign, launched on 9 July 2026, the regulator has produced posters and videos advising patients on how to spot a fake online pharmacy and how to use its online register to check that a pharmacy is registered.
Kathie Cashell, chief executive of the GPhC, said: “Criminals are exploiting the significant public interest in weight management medicines by operating illegal websites selling fake medicines.
“The tablet form of semaglutide will be easier to counterfeit than the injectable form, so we are anticipating this illegal and potentially deadly trade will continue to increase. These fake medicines often don’t contain the ingredients they claim, contain harmful substances, or may not be suitable for the person taking them, posing a serious risk to health.
“We are urging people to always check if the pharmacy they are using is on our online register. With fake online pharmacies becoming increasingly sophisticated, this quick check can protect you from serious harm.”
Oral Wegovy launched on 6 July 2026 in 1.5mg, 4mg, 9mg and 25mg strengths. The pill will be available in 1.5mg and 4mg strengths in some pharmacies as part of private weight management programmes for eligible patients. It is not currently available on the NHS.
A survey by the National Pharmacy Association found that 97% of pharmacies were concerned that the treatment would result in an increase in fake or unlicensed weight loss pills being sold on the black market.
Amira Guirguis, chief scientist at the Royal College of Pharmacy, said the College “welcomed” the GPhC’s campaign.
“As demand for weight-management medicines continues to grow, it’s more important than ever that people obtain prescription-only medicines only through legitimate, regulated healthcare providers, following an appropriate clinical assessment by a qualified healthcare professional. Pharmacists play a vital role in ensuring medicines supplied to patients are genuine, meet quality standards and are used safely and appropriately.
“We welcome the GPhC’s efforts to raise awareness of fake online pharmacies and encourage anyone buying medicines online to check that the pharmacy is registered with the regulator before making a purchase.”
Malcolm Harrison, chief executive of the Company Chemists’ Association, said: “As demand for GLP-1 weight loss medicines continues to grow, it is vital that regulators and enforcement agencies take stronger action against illegal and unregulated online medicine sellers. Those operating outside the law and putting people at risk should face tougher enforcement and meaningful penalties to help protect public safety.
However, he added: “It is also important that regulators do not hinder legitimate businesses as they work hard to meet genuine public demand for medicines. There is a risk that if legitimate pharmacies cannot meet demand due to overly burdensome regulation, people will be more likely to access the medicines they want from the black market of unregulated prescribers and suppliers.”
Andy Morling, head of the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency’s Criminal Enforcement Unit, said: “Fake pharmacy websites and social media sellers illegally supply medicines that are not approved for use in the UK. These may contain toxins and other ingredients that could cause real harm, and [patients] may even end up in hospital.
“We work with our partners, including the police and Border Force, to tackle those selling medicines illegally and causing harm. As the tactics of these organised criminal gangs evolve, so do our methods to identify, disrupt and dismantle them.”
