The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency has issued a press release warning healthcare professionals and the general public that melanotan injections are unlicensed and have not been tested for safety, quality or effectiveness. The press release has been reported in the general media (BBC).
Melanotan, also known as the "tan jab", stimulates production of melanin to provide additional skin pigmentation. It is still the subject of research but is being sold illegally on the Internet and in some tanning salons and body building gyms. While it is not illegal to possess or use the injection it is being strongly advised that they are not used because of concerns over product quality and the possibility of infection from needles and diluents used with the injection.
Action: Clinicians should be aware of this product and this current cautionary advice. Yellow cards can be submitted to report any suspected adverse reactions.