Australian regulator warns of oesophagus injury after counterfeit weight‑loss peptide sold

A patient was hospitalised after tearing their oesophagus while believing they were taking the experimental weight‑loss peptide retatrutide. The drug, which has never been approved by the Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA) or overseas regulators, cannot be legally prescribed or sold in Australia. The TGA issued an alert following the incident, warning consumers of the serious risks posed by counterfeit versions of unapproved drugs. The warning underscores the danger of counterfeit products that circulate online and in illicit markets. By publicly identifying the case and the product involved, the TGA aims to prevent further harm and to remind the public to verify the legitimacy of any weight‑loss supplement before use.