NHS England's medical director says he is alarmed by reports that people are using weight-loss drugs as "a quick fix" to lose a few pounds and get "beach-body ready" this summer. Professor Stephen Powis said the side-effects of the drugs could be dangerous, and they needed to be used under medical supervision. Interest in Wegovy, for treating obesity, surged after studies suggested users could lose over 10% of their body weight.
Drug treatments are now seen as an important tool in tackling obesity. Wegovy, a weight-loss injection, can be prescribed on the NHS in England to people at the top end of the obesity range through specialist weight management clinics. It contains the drug semaglutide, which makes people feel full and reduces their appetite.
Another anti-obesity drug called Mounjaro could be recommended for NHS use soon. Semaglutide is also contained in the type 2 diabetes treatment Ozempic. It has not been approved for helping people who are obese to lose weight - yet there is huge demand for the medication, creating a shortage for diabetes patients.
Many online pharmacies are selling semaglutide injections for between £100 and £200, but they make few checks on the weight or underlying health of the person buying them. A recent BBC investigation found an online black market in sales of semaglutide without prescription, which doctors said could put people's health at risk. The investigation also found the drug being offered in beauty salons in London and Manchester.
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