Tests find some imported products contain no active ingredient at all. See the list.
The Therapeutic Goods Administration has issued a fresh warning to clinicians and consumers after laboratory testing confirmed that some imported weight-loss products marketed as GLP-1 therapies are counterfeit and contain no glucagon-like peptide-1 receptor agonists.
In a statement released this week, the regulator said the products, sold online and through social media and promoted as alternatives to prescription medicines such as semaglutide, tirzepatide and liraglutide, have been falsely labelled and do not contain any GLP-1 or GLP-1 analogue.
The findings prompted an updated safety advisory following earlier alerts about unregistered GLP-1 weight-loss products entering Australia through overseas suppliers.
According to the TGA, the products tested are counterfeit under the Therapeutic Goods Act 1989 and are not included in the Australian Register of Therapeutic Goods. Because they bypass Australia’s regulatory controls, their contents, quality and safety cannot be verified.
“Australians currently using products, particularly prescription medicines obtained from overseas or online, should refer to the multiple safety alerts and advisories issued by the TGA and speak with their health professional about the right option for their circumstance to ensure their safety,” the TGA said.
“We urge consumers to exercise extreme caution when buying medicines and medical devices online including through social media and other digital platforms.”
The latest list of products tested and found to be counterfeit (results of the testing found no GLP-1 or analogues identified), included:
- STDEI GLP-1 Weight Loss Oral Solution
- BuildLeaf – Tirzepatide GLP-1 Herbal Oral Liquid
- HHVB GLP-1 Six In-One Health Solution Oral Liquid
- EQVP GLP-1 Six In-One Health Solution Oral Liquid
- Diapason GLP-1 Seven In-One Health Solution Oral Liquid
- BuildLeaf GLP-1 Eight-In-One Fit & Vital Oral Solution
- LERCEA GLP-1 Metabolic Balance Oral Ampoules
- Croaie Tipoleptide GLP-1 + GIP Weight Management
- HHVB-GLP-1 Nano Microneedle Patch
- HHVB GLP-1 Moringa Slimming & Health Boost Drops
The warning reflects growing concern among regulators about online marketing of unapproved weight-loss injections and compounded products that claim to replicate established GLP-1 medicines.
Related
Some products promoted online may contain undisclosed ingredients, fail to meet Australian safety and quality standards or provide no therapeutic benefit despite being labelled as GLP-1 treatments.
The TGA said consumers who purchased medicines online or from overseas faced both health and financial risks.
Counterfeit products may be fake, contain potentially harmful substances or simply lack the active ingredient entirely.
The regulator also noted that counterfeit therapeutic goods cannot legally be imported under the Personal Importation Scheme.
Importing, supplying or distributing counterfeit medicines is illegal and posed a significant public health risk, the TGA said.
It urged health professionals to advise patients about the dangers of unregistered GLP-1 products and to discuss safer treatment options if patients have obtained weight-loss medicines online or from overseas suppliers.
Clinicians were also encouraged to report adverse events associated with these or other medicines to the TGA to help identify emerging safety issues.
Suspected adverse reactions should also be reported to the TGA.
The TGA said it was continuing to monitor signals linked to harmful unregistered medicines and is working with the Australian Border Force to intercept, seize and destroy counterfeit products entering the country.
Other agencies, including the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission and the Australian Communications and Media Authority, are also involved in tackling scams and misleading online promotions targeting consumers seeking weight-loss treatments.
