Suffolk Eating Disorder Charity Warns of ‘Concerning Access’ to Weight Loss Drugs
It's as GPs across the UK are reporting increased demand for the medication.
A Suffolk-based eating disorder charity says it’s “hugely concerned” by the number of vulnerable people managing to get hold of weight loss drugs online.
It's as GP's across the country have said they're under more and mor pressure to supply the injections,.
Debbie Watson is the founder of Wednesday’s Child, a not-for-profit organisation supporting people with eating disorders. She says they’re hearing “every week” from individuals, including those with diagnosed eating disorders, who’ve found ways to access injectable weight loss medications like Wegovy or Mounjaro, despite not meeting the criteria.
“They’ve ended up in A&E because they’re very, very poorly from taking these medications,” Debbie told us. “They’re not meant for people who are not even a good weight, let alone overweight.”
She said some are obtaining them through online pharmacies, raising serious questions about how easy it is to bypass proper checks.
“They fill out a form and it arrives at their door within a week,” she said. “There are signs that people are still getting through."
Debbie made clear that the organisation’s concern is not with those who are prescribed the drugs responsibly. She says the problem lies with vulnerable individuals, particularly those with a history of eating disorders, being influenced by the constant messaging around weight loss and making impulsive decisions.
“You’re in that trap where you think, ‘everyone else is doing it, it can’t be that bad,’” she said. “It’s in the news every day. Your friend’s on it and looks fine. So it starts to feel normal. But for someone who’s already had a disordered relationship with food, it absolutely isn’t.”
Although some pharmacists who have spoken to Wednesday's Child say they're tightening rules, such as asking for photos on the scales, Debbie believes more needs to be done to stop people getting hold of these drugs unless through proper medical supervision.
She also warned about the broader harm these drugs pose in terms of public messaging, particularly for people at risk of relapse.
“There’s this constant reinforcement of ‘holiday drug’, ‘get skinny quick’. That can’t be healthy,” she said.
Wednesday’s Child also works with schools and healthcare professionals to raise awareness of eating disorders and is calling for tighter regulation and better understanding across society.
Eating disorder help
Wednesday's Child Email: [email protected]
Beat Eating Disorders: call 0808 801 0677