Why this matters now
On October 14, 2026, UK authorities seized more than 12,000 suspected fake pens labelled as tirzepatide or retatrutide, along with packaging for about 30,000 more. Retatrutide is not approved for sale in the UK. In the U.S., federal prosecutors charged two people in late September in an alleged scheme involving counterfeit Ozempic. These are seizures and charges, not convictions. They show that fake versions of these medicines are being made and sold.
A counterfeit pen can contain
- the wrong medicine;
- the wrong amount;
- no medicine at all;
- something contaminated.
How to protect yourself
- Get a prescription from a licensed clinician who has examined you or reviewed your history, not from a website that asks only a few questions.
- Use a licensed pharmacy. In the U.S., you can check a pharmacy's license with your state board of pharmacy. The FDA's BeSafeRx pages explain how to spot unsafe online pharmacies.
- Be cautious with sellers who:
- do not require a prescription;
- sell through social media or messaging apps;
- offer prices far below normal;
- sell "research" products or medicines not approved in your country.
- Check the package and pen when it arrives:
- spelling errors or poor printing;
- missing or mismatched lot number and expiration date;
- a pen that looks different from previous ones;
- packaging that arrived warm when the medicine should be refrigerated.
- Keep the packaging and lot number. If something seems wrong, you will need them.
If you are concerned
do not use the pen. Contact the pharmacy and your clinician. In the U.S., report it to FDA MedWatch.
Get urgent care for
- severe or persistent stomach pain, with or without vomiting;
- signs of very low blood sugar (shaking, sweating, confusion). Some fake pens have contained insulin, so this can happen even if you do not have diabetes; the risk is higher if you also take insulin or certain diabetes pills such as glipizide;
- signs of an allergic reaction (swelling of the face or throat, trouble breathing, widespread rash).
About this page
This page is general information and is not advice about your own treatment. It does not create a physician–patient relationship. For a medical emergency, call 911 or go to the nearest emergency department. Medical disclaimer.