Mother Dies After Using Black Market Weight-Loss Injection

A mother from Salford, Greater Manchester, tragically passed away after injecting herself with a black market weight-loss medication. Karen McGonigal, aged 53, succumbed to complications linked to an unregulated dose of semaglutide, a substance not legally dispensed without a prescription. Her daughters, Ffion and Abbie, are now advocating for stronger regulations against the sale of unauthorized weight-loss drugs, hoping to prevent similar tragedies.

In an exclusive interview with ITV News, the family revealed that they are the first in the U.K. to publicly discuss a death associated with counterfeit weight-loss injections. Following their mother’s passing in May 2023, they are urging others to avoid the illicit market for weight-loss solutions. “We’re begging people not to pay for these shady shots,” Ffion McGonigal stated.

Across the U.K., campaigners from Save Face have observed a disturbing surge in reports of illegal weight-loss injections sold online. According to Ashton Collins from the organization, there has been an “alarming rise” in such activities over the past year, with weekly incidents reported.

Karen’s death occurred just days after she reportedly received her last injection. Prior to this, she had been struggling with her mental health and feeling pressured to lose weight following the end of a long-term relationship. Her daughters described how this struggle affected her self-esteem, with Abbie noting, “She didn’t feel happy in herself. She didn’t want to go out anywhere.”

After consulting with her doctor regarding eligibility for Mounjaro, a medically approved weight-loss drug, Karen was unable to obtain it through the National Health Service (NHS) due to strict eligibility criteria. Friends informed her about a local beauty salon where the medication was available for £20 (approximately $26.63) per injection.

Karen believed she was receiving legitimate treatments and visited the salon multiple times. Her youngest daughter, Ffion, recounted a concerning lack of safety protocols during the injections. “No preparation, no cleaning, nothing,” she said. “She’d give it to my mom, my mom would pay her, and she’d be out in three minutes.”

While Karen initially experienced some weight loss, her health rapidly deteriorated four days after her final injection. She experienced severe stomach pain and struggled to breathe. Ffion described the moment she saw her mother’s face turning “purple” and called for an ambulance. Despite being transported to the hospital, Karen passed away after two days in intensive care, surrounded by her family.

The family was later informed that Karen had not received the intended drug, Mounjaro, but rather semaglutide, which requires different dosing and carries its own risks. They are now awaiting further test results, suspecting that the unregulated weight-loss injections played a role in her death.

Legal repercussions for selling unauthorized prescription medications in the U.K. can be severe, with offenders facing up to two years in prison and unlimited fines. Karen’s daughters have expressed their belief that both the police and the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) should intensify efforts to combat the distribution of unsafe drugs.

Abbie stated, “There are so many people selling it. These people are getting away with destroying people’s lives.” The sisters have chosen to share their story in hopes of warning others about the dangers associated with unregulated weight-loss products. “If this saves another person,” Abbie added, “then we’ve done enough.”

A representative from the Greater Manchester Police confirmed that one individual has been arrested on suspicion of manslaughter, and another for supplying a controlled substance. The investigation is ongoing.

Ashton Collins from Save Face reiterated the dangers of illegal weight-loss injections, stating, “Purchasing drugs from illegal sources is like playing the lottery with your life.” He emphasized that these products are often sold without proper medical oversight, risking the health of unsuspecting users.

Health Secretary Wes Streeting expressed condolences to Karen’s family, emphasizing the importance of seeking professional medical advice before considering weight-loss treatments. He remarked on the potential dangers of black market drugs, stating, “You don’t know what you’re buying, and what you’re being sold is not what it’s purported to be.”

The family’s heart-wrenching loss highlights the urgent need for regulatory action to protect individuals from the risks of unapproved weight-loss medications.