TGA doubles down on fake GLP-1 warnings

The Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) has doubled down on its health warnings for fake weight-loss products after uncovering imports falsely claiming to contain GLP-1 receptor agonists or analogues.
 
Recent testing from the watchdog found a long list of counterfeit products contained no GLP-1 or any GLP-1 analogues at all, despite being labelled as such. 
 
The products feature labels with health claims including ‘herbal oral liquid’, ‘six in-one health solution’, and ‘slimming and health boost drops’.
 
It is not the first time the TGA has issued such a warning, with the viral weight-loss drugs’ popularity showing no signs of slowing down.
 
Now, it is urging healthcare professionals to reach out to their patients about the dangers of purchasing and using unregistered products.
 
‘Advise your patients of the risks associated with unregistered GLP-1 products,’ the TGA said.
 
‘Report adverse events involving medicines, including unapproved medicines to the TGA – your reports help the TGA in identifying previously unknown side effects and emerging safety issues.’
 
The watchdog is also reminding patients to only buy their prescription medicines from a registered pharmacy and not through digital platforms. 
 
‘We urge consumers to exercise extreme caution when buying medicines and medical devices online, including through social media and other digital platforms,’ the TGA said.
 
The Australian Border Force has also been tasked with seizing and destroying any of these fake products when intercepted at the border. 
 
Earlier this year, the TGA announced a crackdown on weight-loss medications will be one of its priority areas of 2026 and it will continue to review their ‘emerging or continued risks to public health and safety’.
 
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