Canadians are being cautioned about an illegal obesity medication flooding online marketplaces and social media. Eli Lilly Canada says counterfeit versions of its experimental drug retatrutide are being sold to unsuspecting buyers. As a result, the company is urging the public to avoid these unverified products entirely.

According to Lilly Canada, illicit versions of retatrutide are circulating through websites and social platforms across the country. The company stresses that this illegal obesity medication has never received government approval. Consequently, anyone purchasing it is taking a serious and unnecessary health risk.

“Retatrutide has not yet been approved for human use by Health Canada or any other regulatory agency in the world,” the company cautioned in a news release. “It cannot be lawfully sold to consumers in Canada or elsewhere. Despite this, a black market for unapproved and illegal retatrutide exists globally.”

What Is Retatrutide and Why Is It in High Demand?

Retatrutide is being developed by American drugmaker Eli Lilly and Company to treat obesity, Type 2 diabetes, and related conditions. The drug is currently in phase three clinical trials. Meanwhile, a recent study described the investigational molecule as a “groundbreaking advancement” that “shows immense promise.”

Clinical results help explain the surging demand. In one previous trial, overweight and obese adults with Type 2 diabetes lost up to an average of 49.6 lbs (22.5 kg) after 80 weeks. In another trial, severely obese adults with cardiovascular disease lost up to an average of 55.8 lbs (25.3 kg) over the same period.

These outcomes have made the drug highly sought after, even before regulators approve it for public use. Therefore, unscrupulous sellers have moved quickly to exploit that demand. Unregulated foreign manufacturers frequently produce the counterfeit versions, according to the company, and buyers often have no way of verifying what they actually receive.

Eli Lilly Cracks Down on Black-Market Sales

Eli Lilly has taken direct legal action to fight the spread of this illegal obesity medication. The company has already filed six lawsuits against U.S. companies accused of illegally selling counterfeit versions of the experimental drug. These include compounding pharmacies, medical spas, and online sellers. In addition, Lilly has flagged “hundreds of illegal operators” to regulators and law enforcement agencies worldwide.

“What is being sold on the black market is not a medicine – it is entirely unverified, unapproved and not worth the risk,” Eli Lilly chief medical officer David A. Hyman said in a statement. This warning highlights just how dangerous the counterfeit supply chain has become for everyday consumers.

Border data supports the scale of the problem. U.S. Customs and Border Protection intercepted more than 1,400 shipments of illicit obesity and diabetes drugs in July, totalling nearly 90,000 vials. That figure marks a sharp increase from the more than 690 shipments and over 31,000 units seized during the entire 2025 fiscal year.

Consequently, Lilly Canada says it will continue taking action against the promotion and sale of unapproved and illegal retatrutide products in Canada. The company plans to work closely with law enforcement agencies and Health Canada to track down illegal sellers. Meanwhile, the fight against this illegal obesity medication is expected to intensify as demand for weight-loss drugs keeps climbing.

How Canadians Can Protect Themselves

Consumers play a key role in stopping the spread of unsafe products. Lilly Canada is calling on social media companies, e-commerce platforms, credit card companies, payment processors, and shipping companies to help combat illicit activity. Additionally, the company is urging Canadians to report suspicious products directly.

Anyone who encounters this illegal obesity medication should report it to Health Canada, local law enforcement, or Lilly Canada’s Customer Response Centre. Reporting quickly can help regulators trace supply chains and shut down illegal sellers faster. Furthermore, avoiding unverified online sellers altogether remains the safest choice for anyone considering weight-loss treatment.

CTVNews.ca has reached out to Health Canada, the Canada Border Services Agency, and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police for comment. This story may be updated with additional information as it becomes available.

Ultimately, the message from Eli Lilly is clear: buying unapproved obesity drugs from unofficial sources is not worth the risk. Only medications approved by Health Canada undergo the rigorous testing needed to confirm they are safe and effective. Until retatrutide completes clinical trials and receives formal approval, Canadians are advised to steer clear of any version sold outside legitimate medical channels.