Leicestershire Doctors Warn of Dangers as One in Ten Consider Buying Weight Loss Jabs on Social Media
Health chiefs and pharmacists urge caution as new survey reveals surge in demand and rise in unregulated sellers
Doctors in Leicestershire and health leaders across the UK are raising the alarm about the growing trend of buying weight loss injections through social media and unregistered online sellers.
A new survey by Ipsos found that one in ten people in Britain would consider purchasing weight loss drugs from platforms like Facebook and TikTok, or from unregistered sellers online, if they couldn’t get a prescription from their doctor or pharmacy.
The poll of more than two thousand adults found that while more than a quarter of people would only use weight loss jabs if prescribed by their doctor, a significant number are willing to take risks with their health.
16% said they would only take them if bought from a pharmacy, but 10% admitted they’d be prepared to buy them from social media or unregulated online sources.
4% said they’d even get the drugs from friends or family.
Dr Claire Fuller, the national medical director at NHS England, said:
“We are concerned about reports of unverified sellers and individuals promoting weight-loss injections or diet aids on social media, offering medicines without any clinical oversight, medical checks or follow-up care."
"The lack of supervision can put people’s health at serious risk, and there may also be concerns about the quality or authenticity of the products on offer. Weight-loss drugs are powerful medicines and can have serious side effects, which is why they must only be prescribed by an appropriately trained healthcare professional.”
Her warning was echoed by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency, which cautioned against buying weight loss products from unregulated websites or on social media. The agency said that such products could be fake, contaminated, incorrectly dosed, or contain unlisted ingredients that could cause dangerous side effects.
In Leicestershire, Dr Grant Igrams from the local medical committee said:
"The risk is that you’ve got absolutely no idea what’s in it.”
“You get what you pay for, and if something seems to be too good to be true, either because they’re not doing any checks at all, or because they charge you an awful lot less, it’s likely to be a scam."
"So stay away. I would recommend that no one buys any drug of any sort, but particularly these weight loss drugs, unless it’s from a bona fide pharmacy."
"Just giving yourself the injection without the additional help of dietary advice and lifestyle advice isn’t the way to lose weight—you need that whole package."
The survey also found that the number of people who have personally taken weight loss jabs, or know someone who has, has more than doubled in the past year.
Almost a third said they would use the drugs if provided by the NHS, while only 11% would pay privately.
Health experts say the message is clear: when it comes to weight loss treatments, safety must come first, and your health is not worth the risk.