LONDON, Dec. 29 -- The government of the United Kingdom issued the following news:
The MHRA continues to warn about the serious risks linked to buying weight-loss products from unregulated websites or through social media. Products sold illegally may be fake, contaminated, incorrectly dosed, orcontainpowerful ingredients not listed on the packaging. These can lead to dangerous side effects, including heart problems, psychologicaleffectsand dangerously low blood sugar.
Some medicines used for weight management-includingallGLP-1 medicines, sometimes referred to as "skinny jabs"-are prescription-only. They should onlyeverbe supplied following a proper assessment by a qualified healthcare professional to ensure the treatment isappropriateand safe.
The MHRA advises:
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Do not buy prescription-only medicines without a prescription.GLP-1 medicines and other treatments for weight management should only be supplied after a clinical assessment.
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Only buy medicines from registered UK pharmacies or legitimate retailers.
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For pharmacies in Great Britain, you can check registration on theGeneral Pharmaceutical Council website.
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For pharmacies in Northern Ireland, refer to thePharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland (PSNI) website.
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Avoid weight-loss products promoted on social media, especially those promising "quick fixes","miracle results",or unusually low prices-these are common signs of illegal sellers.
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Report suspicious websites or products to theMHRA's Yellow Card schemeso action can be taken to protect others.
Health Minister DrZubirAhmedsaid:
"As a practising doctor and patient safety minister, I want to beabsolutely clear- please do not buy weight loss medications from unregulated sources.
"These products are made with no regard for safety or quality and pose a major risk to unwitting customers.Don'tline the pockets of criminals whodon'tcare about your health.
"Safe, appropriate, licensed obesity drugs can greatly benefit those with a clinical need but should be obtained from a registered pharmacy against a valid prescription."
JennMatthissen, from the MHRA's Safety and Surveillance team, said:
"People often look for ways to support their health at this time of year, but buying medicines from illegal online sellers can put your health at real risk. Always make sure you are using authorised products from legitimate sources and speak to a healthcare professional for advice on safe, evidence-based options."
If you are considering weight-loss treatment, talk to your GP,pharmacistor another qualified healthcare professional. More information on what you need to know about weight-loss medicines is available on theMHRA's dedicated page on the GOV.UK website.
Notes to editors
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The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA)is responsible forregulating all medicines and medical devices in the UK by ensuring they work and are acceptably safe. All our work is underpinned by robust and fact-based judgements to ensure that the benefits justify any risks.
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The MHRA is an executive agency of the Department of Health and Social Care.
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For mediaenquiries, please contact thenewscentre@mhra.gov.uk, or call on020 3080 7651.
Disclaimer: Curated by HT Syndication.
