Potentially dangerous weight loss drugs and supplements were found on eBay, Wish.com and AliExpress, according to consumer watchdog, Which?.
The consumer watchdog, Which?, found dozens of diet pills being sold online on the websites which contain ingredients that can lead to several concerning side effects, such as increased blood pressure and heart rate.
The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) said the two ingredients, yohimbine and synephrine, have ‘considerable potential to cause harm if used without medical supervision or advice.’
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Out of the nine products looked at by Which?, two carried no health warnings or dosage information.
Each online marketplace looked at by the consumer watch dog had at least 12 products listed on its websites including the ingredients at the time of the investigation.
While some pills were priced at £2.39 plus postage, others were priced at more than £80. They were available to be shipped from countries including India, the USA, Ukraine and Poland, with many offering free postage.
In response to the investigation, eBay and AliExpress confirmed that they had removed the product listings found by Which?.
Meanwhile, Wish said it was in the process of removing them.
Sue Davies, Which? head of consumer protection policy said the investigation was 'concerning' and online retailers need to be more proactive in policing the products.
She said: "It is concerning that our investigation has revealed these slimming supplements containing potentially dangerous ingredients are readily available on online marketplaces.
"The limited regulation of these sites is not working – and that’s leaving people exposed to substances that can be harmful.
"Online marketplaces must be given greater legal responsibility for the safety of products sold on their sites, so that shoppers are far better protected.
"Regulators also need to be more proactive in policing potentially dangerous products that are offered for sale on these sites, which are becoming increasingly popular places to shop."
Responsibility over regulation of slimming supplements is shared between three government departments – the Food Standards Agency (FSA), the MHRA and the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC).
An MHRA spokesperson said it was "highly likely that finished products containing either yohimbe or synephrine would satisfy the definition of a medicinal product and we have previously determined many such products to be medicines."
The MHRA said it would "review" the products Which? uncovered in their investigation.
DHSC spokesperson said in a statement: ‘Food supplements are tightly regulated and anyone selling prohibited substances as part of a food product faces prosecution.
"The Medicine and Healthcare Regulatory Agency is looking into this issue."
