Be aware of the ‘explosion’ of selling weight loss pills online

The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) has urged people not to buy fake weight loss pills – as the shortage of Ozempic is expected to continue next year.

The organization warned of a “potential explosion of online drug sales” and said people were putting their lives at risk by buying Ozempic and Wegovy (semaglutide) without checks. the correct ones.

Ozempic is available on the NHS for people with type 2 diabetes, while Wegovy can be prescribed for weight loss through weight management services, with strict guidelines on whether who can get drugs.

But the jabs have exploded in popularity, with social media showing before and after pictures of fat loss, and some celebrities have admitted their use.

Ozempic, made by Novo Nordiskit helps people with type 2 diabetes control blood sugar levels but its ability to suppress appetite has also led people to use it for weight loss.

Entrepreneurs see a shortage of this drug, fueled by high demand – as well as the fact that some doctors do not prescribe it for obese people.

This has led to shortages in diabetics, while also fueling an increase in artificial jabs.

Risk rises due to ‘uncertain supply situation’

The NPA, which represents more than 5,000 independent community pharmacies, urges patients to speak to their pharmacist or GP rather than buying medicines online from unregistered and regulated UK suppliers.

Nick Kaye, chairman of the NPA, said pharmacists were still “very concerned”.

“Stocks of Ozempic are very low in community pharmacies in the UK, and it is important that these are always prioritized for those with the greatest medical need,” he said.

“Due to the uncertain supply situation of these and other essential medicines, there is a high risk of people wanting to buy goods from unscrupulous online sellers.

“Wegovy stocks aren’t too bad at the moment, it’s Ozempic that’s in trouble.”

“We have been told that stocks will not be back in doses of 0.25 (mg), 0.5mg or 1mg until December 27,” he added.

“That’s the current target date from the developers themselves.

“In all our experience, it’s less likely to be before that date and more likely to be later.”

‘We are very concerned about fakes’

People usually start Ozempic at the lowest dose of 0.25mg before moving up to higher doses as needed.

In January, the Department of Health and Social Care told healthcare providers not to offer off-label drugs for weight loss, and said the stock was it should be reserved for patients with type 2 diabetes.

It said “supply issues are due to increased demand for these products for both licensed and unlicensed brands” and supply “is not expected to return to normal until at least the end of 2024”.

Mr Kaye added: “We are very concerned about fakes in the stock market.

“People want to get these drugs and if they can’t because they are out of stock, they may end up going elsewhere.

“In the UK, we have control and secure internet provision in places.

“We don’t talk about everything online [sales] it should be banned but we want to make sure it’s a legitimate organization and it’s legally registered.”

Read more:
What are vaccines and how do they work?
Stephen Fry reveals that Ozempic made him vomit
Jabs associated with a condition that causes blindness

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Unauthorized sales ‘can be dangerous’

Mr Kaye said people could check to see if the internet provider was registered and regulated by the General Pharmaceutical Council or the Pharmaceutical Society of Northern Ireland.

The NPA also wants to see the reintroduction of laws making it mandatory for the list of UK regulated online pharmacies to be publicly available.

In June, the World Health Organization issued a medical product alert regarding fake semaglutide stocks found in Brazil, the UK and the US.

It said there have been increasing reports of fake semaglutide since 2022.

Meanwhile, the US Food and Drug Administration has warned against people taking the drug in excess, with reports of some people suffering from nausea, vomiting, headache, dehydration, pancreatitis and gallstones.

A spokesman for the Department of Health and Social Care said: “We strongly advise the public not to buy controlled medicines from unauthorized online sellers or beauty salons as they can be dangerous.

“The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency is working to identify those who sell medicines illegally and will use its powers to take appropriate enforcement action, including, where necessary, prosecuting those who people’s lives in danger.

“In addition, we are taking action to tackle the problem of obesity – shifting our focus from treatment to prevention – which will reduce pressure on the NHS and help people live healthier lives for longer.”