Weight Loss Fact Checker

How to check an online pharmacy is legitimate before buying weight-loss medication

Fake and unregulated sellers of weight-loss jabs are common. Here's how to check a pharmacy or clinic in the UK, US and elsewhere, in under five minutes.

By Carol Standing · Published 4 November 2026 · 2 min read

Weight-loss medicines such as semaglutide (Wegovy) and tirzepatide (Mounjaro) are prescription-only. Because demand is so high, they're also a target for fake and unregulated sellers. Fake pens can contain the wrong dose, the wrong drug, or nothing at all.

We don't recommend or link to individual sellers. Here's how to check one yourself.

Warning signs: walk away if you see these

  • No prescription or consultation needed, or a "consultation" that's just a tick-box form.
  • Sold through social media, messaging apps or beauty salons.
  • "Research use only", "peptides" or unbranded vials.
  • Prices far below everywhere else, or "no questions asked" offers.
  • No physical address, no named pharmacist, or no registration number.

If you're in the UK

  1. Check the pharmacy on the GPhC register. Every pharmacy in Great Britain, including online ones, must be registered with the General Pharmaceutical Council. Search by name or registration number on the GPhC website.
  2. If it's an online doctor or clinic, check the regulator. In England, online prescribing services should be registered with the Care Quality Commission (CQC). Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland have their own regulators.
  3. Expect proper questions. A legitimate service will ask about your weight, health conditions and other medicines, and may ask for evidence such as a photo or your GP details.

If you're in the US

  1. Use the FDA's BeSafeRx guidance. It explains how to check that an online pharmacy is licensed in your state.
  2. A valid prescription is required. Legitimate US pharmacies won't dispense without one.
  3. Be cautious with "compounded" versions. Check with your doctor about whether a compounded product is appropriate and where it comes from.

Anywhere else

Check your national medicines regulator or pharmacy council. Most have a public register of licensed pharmacies. If you can't find the seller on it, don't buy.

Our verdict on "it's fine to buy jabs online"

It depends entirely on who you buy from. A registered pharmacy with a proper prescribing process is a legitimate option. A seller that skips the prescription isn't, however professional the website looks.

This page is information only. We don't take commission from any seller of prescription medicines.

Sources we checked

  1. Semaglutide (Wegovy, Ozempic) (NHS)
  2. Tirzepatide (Mounjaro) (NHS)
  3. Registers of pharmacies and pharmacy professionals (General Pharmaceutical Council (UK))
  4. Care Quality Commission (CQC (England))
  5. BeSafeRx: your source for online pharmacy information (US Food and Drug Administration)

This article is general information, not medical advice. Speak to a doctor, pharmacist or other qualified clinician about your own health, especially before starting a supplement or if symptoms are new, severe or worrying.

Got a question about this, or a claim you want checked? Ask us.

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