A Selby woman was left in intensive care after taking a slimming jab.
Now three women, also from Selby, have been arrested, two on suspicion of administering a poison.
And people are being warned not to buy products from unregulated suppliers.
The woman used a ‘weight loss jab’ allegedly sourced from a North Yorkshire salon. She has now been discharged from hospital.
Two other people also became unwell.
Health professionals called in police who launched an investigation.
A North Yorkshire Police spokesperson said: “Police have launched an investigation into the supply of a slimming injection that left a woman in intensive care.
“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.
“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.
“The investigation remains ongoing and we urge members of the public to follow the advice from health professionals on the safe use of these products.”
The incident has prompted health leaders in North Yorkshire and the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) to warn people of the risks of using weight loss medicines bought from private clinics or online.
Buying products from unregulated suppliers “significantly increases the risk of getting a product which is either falsified or not licensed for use in the UK and can pose a direct danger to health”, they say.
NHS Humber and North Yorkshire Integrated Care Board (ICB) chief pharmacy officer, Laura Angus, 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.
“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.
“We would also advise patients to check the legitimacy of the pharmacy and ensure it is regulated with the GPhC – each pharmacy premises has a registration number that can be checked easily with the GPhC.”
North Yorkshire Council’s executive member for health and adult services, Cllr Michael Harrison, added: “We would encourage people to pursue their health goals in a safe way.
“You can access lots of free tools to support you to make healthy changes, including getting active and losing weight, on the NHS Better Health website.”
Andy Morling, the Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency’s deputy director of criminal enforcement 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.
“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 who suspects they have had an adverse reaction to a weight loss injection or any other medicinal product, should seek appropriate medical attention.