Over half a million people in the UK are turning to weight-loss injections amid frustrations with the NHS's slow rollout of these medications. Wholesale figures have revealed more than 500,000 adults are receiving prescriptions for the anti-obesity drugs Mounjaro and Wegovy. Shockingly, around 95 percent of individuals taking these drugs, which have been available for only about a year, are sourcing them online.
The NHS has restricted access to the drugs to just 35,000 people, prompting thousands of severely obese patients to seek these medications through online platforms. This situation sparks significant concerns, especially as social media adverts, often illegally promoting these injections, proliferate, enticing vulnerable individuals.
Online pharmacies are reportedly selling GLP-1 medications at prices ranging from £150 to £200 per month, with some using aggressive marketing strategies. By September, Wegovy (marketed as Ozempic) was made available through the NHS but still only at specialist weight-loss clinics, limiting accessibility. The second of these medications, Mounjaro, is expected to be included on NHS lists by 2025, but even so, will only be accessible to 220,000 people over three years.
Dr. Kath McCullough, NHS England’s national specialty adviser for obesity, described the rollout as an “exciting opportunity” yet stressed the importance of prioritizing those with the greatest clinical needs. “We have to focus on areas with higher obesity rates,” she noted, explaining the phased approach to drug distribution.
She has cautioned against online purchases of these injectable drugs, as there have been alarming reports of hospital admissions linked to their use. “The marketing online can be very aggressive,” said Dr. McCullough. “People can access these medications too quickly and without proper guidance, which is risky.”
Currently, approximately 4.1 million individuals with obesity (BMI over 35 or related health complications) qualify for these weight-loss drugs through the NHS. Nonetheless, many patients have reported difficulties accessing treatment. Rebecca Moore from Simple Online Pharmacy noted, “About 30 percent of those buying Wegovy have tried to go through the NHS first, but found it too difficult.”
One patient, Jill Gibson, shared her experience of frustration with obtaining weight-loss treatment on the NHS due to significant delays, “I was on the weight-management list, but it was two years just to get listed. I couldn’t wait.” After hearing about the new miracle drug, Gibson chose to purchase Mounjaro privately and has since lost six stone.
Other users of these services express pressure due to the cost of maintaining their prescriptions. Social media trends are rife with discussions on saving money by sharing referral codes for pharmacies, with common phrases like: “Can you use my code?” and “I need help with costs this Christmas.” These discounts are enticing, but as patients increase their dosages, costs amplify, leading many to struggle financially.
Illegally advertised weight-loss injections are coming under scrutiny. Baroness Morgan of Cotes, chair of the Advertising Standards Authority, pointed out, “Advertising prescription-only medicines to the public is against the law.” This has led to warnings for online pharmacies enticing consumers with illegal promotions of Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic. “We are ready to shut down any pharmacy breaking these laws,” she asserted, stressing the need for accountability and regulation.
Julia Beach from the MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) emphasized the agency's serious stance on illegal medicine promotions, stating, “We take concerns about illegal prescriptions to heart and will take action where necessary.” This reflects the growing need to regulate and monitor online accessibility to these powerful drugs, especially as their popularity rises.
Despite the troubling rise of online pharmacies, there are no indications of illegal practices from the manufacturers themselves. The story of Abbie James highlights the dangers of self-medication as she faced severe health issues after using online weight-loss jabs purchased through social media ads. “I felt like I was having a heart attack,” she recalled, emphasizing the alarming consequences of unregulated access to prescription medication.
“Obesity causes various debilitating health issues and puts unnecessary pressure on our healthcare system,” said a Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson. The NHS is shifting strategies, aiming to provide these injections to individuals who are most vulnerable.
With the current demand for these medications, paired with aggressive marketing and the NHS's constrained rollout, experts warn of serious health risks and call for effective regulations to manage the situation. The debate continues on how the NHS will balance patient needs with the risks associated with obtaining these powerful medications online.
