Israel Warns of Illegal Weight Loss Injections Sold on Black Market

Israel's Ministry of Health has issued a public warning against the purchase and use of illegal peptides, which are being sold without supervision as injectable or ingestible substances and pose significant health risks. These substances are marketed for weight loss, bodybuilding, anti-aging, and performance enhancement, despite not being approved for use in Israel. Among the illicit products are BPC-157, GHK-Cu, CJC-1295, TB-500, and Retatrutide, an experimental weight loss drug that has shown promising results in clinical trials but is not yet approved in Israel. The ministry's alert follows similar warnings from health authorities in Canada and Australia, driven by the growing popularity of legitimate weight loss injections and a subsequent rise in the illegal market for unregulated products.

According to the Ministry of Health, using these unregulated substances can lead to severe health issues, including liver and kidney damage, hormonal imbalances, blood sugar disruptions, allergic reactions, and infections. Products manufactured or packaged without proper oversight may also contain contaminants or dangerous ingredients not listed on the packaging. Dr. Liat Barzilai Yosef, an expert in internal medicine and endocrinology, explained that while obesity is now recognized as a complex disease requiring medical intervention, the high cost of approved treatments, such as Wegovy and Mounjaro, pushes many to seek cheaper, unregulated alternatives. These approved drugs, derived from GLP-1 agonists originally developed for diabetes, have undergone rigorous clinical testing and regulatory scrutiny.

Dr. Barzilai Yosef highlighted that the high monthly cost of approved weight loss medications, which can run into hundreds or thousands of shekels without insurance coverage, contributes to the demand for black market products. She noted that Retatrutide, one of the substances flagged by the ministry, is still in clinical trials. Furthermore, improper storage conditions for temperature-sensitive peptide-based medications, like insulin or fertility drugs, can render them ineffective or even harmful. The temptation to lose weight quickly or bypass regulatory hurdles without understanding the health risks, including potential cardiac issues from substances like thyroid hormones, drives individuals to these dangerous alternatives, she cautioned.

The Ministry of Health urges the public to purchase medications and supplements only from authorized sources and to avoid buying from social media or unknown websites. Individuals experiencing adverse symptoms or concerned about health damage from using these substances are advised to seek immediate medical attention and inform their healthcare providers about the substance used. Reports of illegal sales can be made to the "Kol HaBriut" hotline at *5400.