08 May 2023 , 21:00
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Health officials have issued an urgent warning as a popular diabetes drug is being sold illegally on social media to people who are desperate to lose weight.
Prescription drugs Wegovy, Ozempic and Saxenda (liraglutide) are being flogged on Facebook to users without a prescription, after Hollywood elites branded the medication a “skinny shot”.
Semaglutide, which is sold under the three brand names, is an anti-diabetic medication which is used in long-term weight management by individuals who qualify.
The breakthrough drug suppresses the appetite through mimicking the hormone glucagon-like peptide-1 (GLP-1), which is released after eating. When used in conjunction with diet and exercise, it can cause significant weight loss, which can reduce the risk of cancer, diabetes and heart disease in patients who are obese or overweight, explains UCLA Health.
A clinical trial of around 2,000 volunteers saw their weight drop by 12 percent on average after 68 weeks by using semaglutide alongside supervised weight loss coaching.
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The National Institute of Health and Care Excellence (NICE) recommends semaglutide for adults with at least one weight-related condition and a body mass index (BMI) score of at least 35. Ozempic is only approved for the management of diabetes but can be prescribed off-label to aid weight loss.
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A popular diabetes drug ais being sold illegally on social media sites (Getty Images/iStockphoto)Meanwhile, liraglutide is restricted to adults with a body mass index score of 35 or more (32.5 or more for people of south Asian, Chinese, black African or African-Caribbean origin). They must also have non-diabetic hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar) and are at risk of heart problems.
Pharmaceutical company Novo Nordisk, which makes the three brands, says the products should only be used as recommended by a doctor.
Helen Knight, director of medicines evaluation at NICE, said: “For some people losing weight is a real challenge which is why a medicine like semaglutide is a welcome option.
“It won’t be available to everyone. Our committee has made specific recommendations to ensure it remains value for money for the taxpayer, and it can only be used for a maximum of two years.”
However, reports have revealed that Facebook users are illegally selling the drugs to members of the public without a prescription.
Dr Nisa Aslam warned: “Buying weight loss medications online may do you more harm than good because it may be fake, out of date, mixed with other harmful or unregulated substances or simply ineffective. Best case scenario you may be wasting your money but worst case scenario you are risking your health.
"My advice is only to take weight loss medication prescribed by a health care professional. As they need to assess whether the medication and dose is suitable for you, if you have any personal or family history which makes medication unsuitable for you and if there are any harmful interactions with other medication that you take.
She added: "Also a health care professional should supervise your treatment for efficacy and side effects which will not be possible if you are buying unregulated medicines from Facebook."
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Meta, Facebook's parent company, states in its regulated goods policy that users are prohibited from posting content about weight loss that contains a miracle claim and attempts to buy, sell, trade, donate or gift weight loss products.
A four-pack of semaglutide injections can cost up to £179.99 on legitimate online pharmacy websites, but black market sellers are undercutting this figure with prices as low as £75.
Dr Steve Taylor, GP spokesperson at Doctors’ Association UK, said: “There is clearly a lot of potential for these medications. However, purchasing medication without a prescription is illegal and can be dangerous.
“Without a doctor’s supervision, it is difficult to ensure the medication’s safety, effectiveness, and proper usage. Additionally, the medication may interact negatively with other drugs or health conditions, leading to harmful side effects or complications.
He added: “It’s also possible that someone may have another underlying condition leading to weight gain that needs investigation. I would advise all people not to take medication which has not been prescribed for them, and to seek the advice of a doctor or health professional.”
Ozempic is only approved for the management of diabetes but can be used for weight loss (AFP via Getty Images)A spokesperson for Meta said: “We don’t allow the sale of pharmaceutical drugs on Facebook and have removed the violating group brought to our attention. Content relating to weight loss products and potentially dangerous cosmetic procedures is also restricted for under-18s.
“We’re constantly working to get better at detection and we urge people to report anything they think doesn’t belong on our platform, so we can review it and take action.”
A spokesperson for Novo Nordisk stated it was “in dialogue” with industry partners, marketplaces and social media platforms on this issue.
They added: “Wegovy, Saxenda and Ozempic are prescription-only medicines and therefore require a registered healthcare professional to prescribe the medicine.
“Ozempic is not indicated for use in weight management, hence any such prescribing of Ozempic in this respect is considered to be off-licence and outside the medicine’s recommended label. Novo Nordisk does not support off-label prescribing.”