Earlier this year, RTÉ Investigates explored the beauty industry and the widespread sale of unlicensed Botox-like products. During that investigation, reporter Pamela Fraher and producer Philip Gallagher uncovered a parallel illegal trade within the industry: black-market weight loss medications.

These medications, particularly injectable pens designed to address obesity and diabetes, have seen a surge in demand in recent years.

However, with limited supply, an illicit market has flourished. One supplier in the southwest of Ireland admitted to RTÉ’s undercover team, “It just blew up, and now we’ve supplied 350 people in the last six months.”

The growing black market has raised significant concerns about safety and regulation. Professor Donal O’Shea, clinical lead on obesity for the HSE, described the situation as “incredibly depressing and shocking.”

Similarly, Kathy Maher, former president of the Irish Pharmacy Union, expressed alarm: “We don’t know what is in that product. I am absolutely stunned.”

Don’t miss RTÉ Investigates: Black Market Weight Loss, airing Monday, December 9th, at 9.35pm on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player.