The UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued a stern warning to the public against purchasing weight loss medicines without a prescription, highlighting the significant health risks associated with these illegal transactions.
As the New Year approaches, the MHRA is intensifying its efforts to combat the illegal sale of weight loss drugs, which have been linked to serious health complications.
The warning comes amid reports of counterfeit weight loss medicines, including GLP-1 receptor agonists such as semaglutide and liraglutide, being sold online.
These medicines, when not obtained through legitimate channels, can contain harmful substances like insulin, leading to severe side effects including hypoglycaemic shock and coma.
Central Impact
The illegal trade in weight loss medicines poses a substantial threat to public health. Here are some key implications:
- The misuse of these medicines can lead to serious health issues, including gastrointestinal side effects, severe dehydration, and even hospitalization.
- The MHRA has been actively working to disrupt and dismantle these illegal operations throughout 2024, with ongoing efforts to identify and prevent such sales.
- The scale of the problem, though described as “very small” in terms of overall illegal medicine trade, is significant enough to warrant urgent public awareness and action.
Official Response
“Buying products, such as Ozempic or Saxenda, without a prescription, from illegally trading suppliers, significantly increases the risk of receiving something which is either fake or not licensed for use in the UK. Products purchased in this way do not meet our strict quality and safety standards, and taking such medicines may put your health at significant risk,”
Alison Cave, Chief Safety Officer at the MHRA
Cave’s statement underscores the critical importance of adhering to prescribed medical channels for obtaining these medicines, emphasizing the rigorous quality and safety standards that legitimate suppliers must meet.
Current Status
- Since January 2023, the MHRA has seized 369 potentially fake Ozempic pens and received reports of a “very small number” of people hospitalized after using these counterfeit products.
- The MHRA has also reported that most illegally traded medicines in the UK are controlled drugs and erectile dysfunction medicines, with weight loss drugs making up only a small proportion.
- There have been 7228 reports of common gastrointestinal reactions associated with GLP-1RAs for weight management, with 68 cases resulting in hospitalization.
Regional Effects
The issue is not isolated to specific regions but is a nationwide concern. Local healthcare professionals and organizations are also sounding the alarm.
“The dangers to health are clear. Our advice, like that of the MHRA, is that only medication prescribed by a qualified medical/healthcare professional should be taken.” Paul Gately, Chief Executive of Obesity UK
The Takeaway
The MHRA’s warning highlights the critical need for public vigilance and adherence to prescribed medical guidelines when seeking weight loss treatments. The risks associated with counterfeit medicines are real and can have severe health consequences.
The broader implications emphasize the importance of regulatory oversight and public education in preventing the misuse of prescription-only medicines, ensuring that patients seek medical advice from qualified healthcare professionals to avoid potential harm.
