News: UK Medicines Regulator Issues Weight Loss Drugs Warning

31 Dec News: UK Medicines Regulator Issues Weight Loss Drugs Warning

Posted at 11:10h in News by

As January approaches, the most popular time for embarking on a diet, the UK’s Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued a public warning about the dangers of purchasing weight loss drugs without a prescription. 

Want help achieving effective, lasting weight loss, without medication? If you’re looking for support with overcoming your weight challenges, achieving your desired weight and maintaining it long term, we can help. Book in for a complimentary call with us today to find out more.

PUBLIC WARNING ABOUT WEIGHT LOSS MEDICINES

MHRA is urging the public to resist the temptation of quick-fix solutions offered by beauty salons, unauthorised websites, and social media platforms, reminding individuals that these practices not only pose serious health risks but are also illegal.

Andy Morling, MHRA Deputy Director of Criminal Enforcement, highlighted the increased prevalence of these offers during the post-holiday season when many are looking to shed excess weight. He stressed that weight loss drugs are not cosmetic treatments but powerful medicines that require proper medical oversight.

WHAT IS THE DANGER OF GETTING UNREGULATED WEIGHT LOSS MEDICINE?

The MHRA’s warning comes amid growing concerns about the misuse of weight loss drugs, particularly among individuals who are not obese or overweight with related health issues. Speaking to The Independent, Health Secretary Wes Streeting emphasised that these medications are not intended for aesthetic purposes or to achieve an idealized appearance for social media.

The regulator has reported seizing 369 potentially fake Ozempic pens since January 2023, with additional reports of counterfeit Saxenda pens circulating in the UK. These fake products, obtained through illegitimate channels, have led to hospitalisations, with some patients experiencing severe side effects such as hypoglycemic shock and coma.

HOW DO YOU GET SAFE ACCESS TO WEIGHT LOSS MEDICINES?

Dr. Alison Cave, MHRA Chief Safety Officer, stressed the importance of obtaining weight loss medicines only through legitimate channels. “The decision to start, continue or stop treatments should be made jointly by patients and their prescribing healthcare professional,” she stated.

The MHRA advises that the only way to ensure receiving genuine weight loss medicine is through a prescription from a healthcare professional, dispensed by a legitimate pharmacy. This applies to both in-person and online pharmacies.

WHAT’S BEING DONE ABOUT ILLEGAL SALES?

The MHRA’s Criminal Enforcement Unit is working with social media platforms and technology companies to combat the illegal sale of weight loss medicines online. Their efforts include removing illegal social media posts, suspending accounts, and shutting down websites. Andy Morling warned about the sophistication of criminal operations, noting that fake pharmacy websites often appear highly authentic. He advised the public to exercise caution and verify the legitimacy of online pharmacies through the General Pharmaceutical Council’s website.

OFFICIAL ADVICE

Dr Alison Cave, MHRA Chief Safety Officer said: “The decision to start, continue or stop treatments should be made jointly by patients and their prescribing healthcare professional – such as a GP or pharmacist – based on full consideration and discussion of the benefits and risks.

“No medicine is completely without risk. All medicines can cause side effects, and these are outlined in the product information for each medicine, so it’s important to read the patient information leaflet that includes advice about the known side-effects.

“We encourage patients and healthcare professionals to report suspected side effects from GLP-1 RAs, such as semaglutide or tirzepatide, through our Yellow Card scheme.”

The MHRA’s message is clear: prioritise health and safety over quick fixes. Weight loss medicines can be effective when prescribed and used correctly, but obtaining them through unauthorised channels poses significant risks.

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We are a team of qualified, experienced weight loss nutritionists, who can help you make meaningful changes to your lifestyle and diet to ensure that you not only reach your desired weight, but maintain it long term. 

We can help you overcome your weight challenges, reach your happy weight and maintain it long term. Book yourself in for a complimentary 25 mintue call or contact us and a member of our team will be in touch soon. We can talk through your challenges and explore whether one of our Intelligent Weight Loss programmes is right for you.

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LINDA ROBINSON

Linda is our Practice Coordinator, helping to keep the clinic running smoothly.

 

Originally from Texas, Linda completed her MBA at SDA Bocconi in Milan. Linda has worked as a Strategy Consultant across multiple industries globally in cities including Kyoto, Paris, Chicago and San Francisco. She developed an interest in nutrition whilst volunteering for an organisation that provides cooking and nutrition education to children and families.

Linda is now settled in London with her husband, two children, and her very bouncy, sociable dog.

SARAH LAW

Sarah has worked with hundreds of clients over the past decade to help them live in a healthy body that they feel confident in.


Sarah spent a large part of her teens and 20’s as a professional dancer battling with orthorexia and an unhealthy relationship with food and her body. This created a desire to understand the human body more so she could finally cut through the confusion and end the cycle of yoyo dieting. This fuelled her passion to help other women do the same.

 

Sarah specialises in supporting women who are struggling to lose weight due to underlying health issues. She’s helped many women manage their weight during and after the menopause, as well as clients with thyroid disease and immune system dysfunction. Sarah loves food and sharing healthy recipes with her clients. Her aim is to ensure that clients don’t feel deprived and instead, achieve their weight loss and health goals in a positive and sustainable way.

 

To enquire about working with Sarah, please contact us.

AILSA HICHENS

 

Ailsa is one of our most experienced practitioners. She specialises in helping clients to lose weight, develop a healthy relationship with food and finally feel comfortable in their skin. Ailsa’s mission is for everyone she works with to enjoy the journey and that working with a nutritionist should not be a punishment, but your access to a new possibility.

 

Ailsa is not only an experienced weight loss nutritionist, she is also a skilled coach. She helps our clients overcome emotional eating, destructive habits and self-sabotaging behaviours that have prevented successful weight loss in the past. Ailsa has spent years in clinic working with clients who have experienced yo-yo dieting and have discovered that long term weight loss is not just about eating less until you can stand it no longer.

 

Working with Ailsa you will be comprehensively supported, not only in improving your nutrition and lifestyle, but also your eating habits and your relationship with food. When you work on all these elements together, the results can be truly astonishing.

 

To enquire about working with Ailsa, please contact us.

Test Nikki is our Practice Manager, managing our team of practitioners and heading up the day-to-day running of the business. Nikki is involved in the strategic development of our practice, coming from a strong business background in town planning. A Florida girl, Nikki relocated to the UK in 2014 with her husband and two children.

NIKKI ANDRIANI

Nikki is our Practice Manager, managing our team and heading up the day-to-day running of our clinic.

 

Coming from a background in town planning, Nikki is involved in the strategic development of our practice, continually ensuring we are delivering the very best service to our clients.


A Florida girl, Nikki relocated to the UK in 2014 where she lives with her husband, two children, and her rescue dog Skyy.

STÉPHANIE ACHAR

Stéphanie is a skilled nutritional therapist and functional medicine practitioner with additional training in eating disorders, disordered eating and obesity. She believes that working towards both physiological and mental health is key in achieving optimum wellbeing.

 

Stéphanie’s personal experience of emotional eating and the ongoing struggle to find the right support led her to combine the science of nutrition with behavioural coaching to motivate and empower her clients. She specialises in helping people who struggle with their weight and their relationship with food. She helps them develop a healthier and more peaceful relationship with food and their bodies.

 

To enquire about working with Stéphanie, please contact us.

INNA WEARN

Inna is passionate about supporting women on their journey to improved health and wellbeing. She believes that the solution to effective weight loss does not lie in ever more restrictive diets, but a more sophisticated approach that optimises health and vitality, as well as promoting effective weight loss.

 

Working with Inna you will benefit from her in-depth knowledge of female health and hormones. She will support you in developing a healthy diet, lifestyle and mindset that ensures you reach your ideal weight and maintain it in the years to come.

 

Inna is passionate about food with a wide repertoire of delicious healthy recipes and meal ideas to ensure your weight loss journey is as enjoyable as possible!

 

To enquire about working with Inna, please contact us.

ANIA MASON

 

Ania is a firm believer that improving your health and losing weight should be a positive, empowering journey, not one centred around deprivation.

 

After being diagnosed with two autoimmune conditions in her twenties, Ania spent several years educating herself on the power of food and nutrition. She put it all into practise and changed her diet and lifestyle, reversing her endometriosis and thyroid disease. After experiencing such a significant improvement in her health, Ania had a big desire to help others. She embarked on a four year journey to study nutrition, graduating from the Institute for Optimum Nutrition with distinction.

 

Ania specialises in autoimmunity and works with clients who have underlying health issues preventing successful weight loss. Her expertise enables her to successfully support our clients with conditions such as hypothyroidsm (underactive thyroid), PCOS and diabetes. 

 

To enquire about working with Ania, please contact us.

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