Premium Times Exposes Illegal Online Sale of Unregistered Weight-Loss Drugs in Nigeria
Premium Times investigation uncovered vendors selling prescription weight-loss drugs like Mounjaro and Ozempic without requiring prescriptions or medical supervision, despite these drugs not being registered with NAFDAC for use in Nigeria. The inquiry began after media personality Toke Makinwa disclosed her Mounjaro use in a May 2026 Snapchat post, revealing she stopped in December 2025 before hitting the gym in January 2026.
Investigators found networks of websites (slimnaija.com, naijatrim.com, mounjaronigeria.com, naijapeptides.com, mounjaro.ng) offering these drugs at prices ranging from ₦100,000 for a 'Basic' shot to ₦250,000 for 'VIP' packages, with some selling the experimental drug Retatrutide (still in Phase III clinical trials) for up to ₦450,000. Vendors falsely claimed the injections had 'no side effects,' contradicting manufacturer warnings of nausea, pancreatitis, gallbladder issues, and kidney injury. Endocrinologist Oladapo Ashiru confirmed these risks, stressing the need for clinical assessment and monitoring.
NAFDAC’s public database shows no registration for Mounjaro, Ozempic, or Retatrutide in Nigeria, though the agency confirmed unregistered medicines require special approval pathways. Human rights lawyer Bernard Okpi noted selling unregistered prescription drugs online violates Nigerian law, carrying criminal penalties. The operation was linked to Velorix Nigeria Ltd (registered Feb 2026, director Samson Olufuwa), which provided payment processing before going offline after Premium Times’ inquiry.
Before considering any weight-loss injectable, verify its NAFDAC registration status, consult a licensed physician for proper assessment, and report suspicious online sellers to NAFDAC’s pharmacovigilance unit—unsupervised use risks severe health complications despite vendors’ safety claims.