The woman ended up in intensive care as a result of internal injuries arising from the slimming drug, leading to three women in the Selby area being arrested
A woman was left fighting for her life in intensive care after using a slimming injection, as police confirm they have launched an investigation. The shocking event has resulted in three women being arrested in connection to the drug being administered.
North Yorkshire Police has launched an investigation into the supply of a slimming injection that left a woman in intensive care with suspected internal injuries. The force said officers were first alerted to the woman’s condition on May 7, but did not publicly share the name of the drug. Police confirmed the woman has since been discharged from hospital. The force added that three women from the Selby area had been arrested.
A police spokesperson said: “Two women aged 32 and 37, were arrested on suspicion of causing / administering a poison / noxious thing and have been released on police bail. The third woman, aged 58, was arrested on suspicion of selling or supplying a prescription only medicine. She has been released while under investigation. All the women are from the Selby area.”
They added: “The woman who used the injection was admitted to hospital earlier this month and treated in intensive care for suspected internal injuries. She has since been discharged.”
While the police investigation is still ongoing, the force has urged members of the public to get in touch if they have any information relating to the incident, reports YorkshireLive. Officers have also asked people to follow the advice from health professionals on the safe use of weight loss products.
Following the incident, Laura Angus, Chief Pharmacy Officer of the NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB), said: “There has been a lot of attention in the media and on social media about these so-called ‘skinny jabs’, but as with any medicines bought outside of legitimate supply chains, the contents may not match the ingredients on the label.”
She added: “If you use such products you could be putting your health at serious risk. If you are thinking of buying a weight-loss medicine, please talk to a healthcare professional first.
“The only way to guarantee you receive a genuine weight-loss medicine is to obtain it from a legitimate pharmacy – including those trading online – using a prescription issued by a healthcare professional.”
Ms Angus said patients were also advised to check the legitimacy of pharmacies and ensure they are regulated with the GPhC by checking their registration numbers online.
Andy Morling, Deputy Director of Criminal Enforcement for the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency, said: “Weight loss medicines are powerful medications and should only be used under the supervision of a qualified healthcare professional.
“Public safety is our top priority, and our Criminal Enforcement Unit works tirelessly with partners to prevent, detect and investigate illegal activity involving medicines and medical devices.”
He added: “Buying so-called weight loss medicines from illegal suppliers significantly increases the risk of receiving products that are either falsified or not licensed for use in the UK. Products purchased in this way will not meet the MHRA’s strict quality and safety standards, and taking such medicines may put one’s health at risk.”
Anyone with information that may be able to assist North Yorkshire Police with the investigation should call 101 and quote reference number 12250081679.