Pharmacist warns of red flags to look for when ordering weight-loss injections online
An expert has issued an urgent warning that GLP-1 users need to be aware of when ordering their medication online.
This comes as a pharmacist has highlighted various ways criminals are selling fake weight loss drugs on the internet, offering the public a list of important red flags to watch out for.
Peter Thnoia, who is the Superintendent Pharmacist at NHS online pharmacy PillTime, shared that there are key signs to tell if a website might be selling dangerous and unregulated alternatives to the authorized weight loss treatments.
No prescription needed
Companies selling GLP-1 drugs with ‘barely any medical checks’ could be steered clear of when purchasing your own medication online.
Thnoia highlighted: “GLP-1 injections are prescription-only medicines, and a prescription can only be issued by a suitably qualified prescriber, so if a website or social media seller is offering these injections with ‘no prescription needed’, that’s an immediate concern.
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“Anyone seeking weight-loss treatment should be taken through a full medical questionnaire and a proper consultation. If you’re being offered a prescription-only medicine without any checks at all, it’s almost certainly unsafe - and very likely fake.”
Bulk buy deals
While prices for medications may vary on price due to which drug or dosage the patient is prescribed, it is important to have a second think about offers that seem unusually cheap to purchase.
The expert warned that websites offering deals such as ‘buy two pens, get one free’ might not be legitimate as such offers are ‘not how regulated medicines are sold’.
Thnoia continued: “These drugs cost a certain amount to manufacture, so if a website or company is offering them for considerably less, it’s a strong indicator that they may not be legitimate.”
Countdown timers
On a similar note, countdown timers offering price slashes for a limited time only, which attempt to push consumers into making a quick purchase, should also be avoided.
Thnoia added: “The temptation to find a quick, affordable fix for weight loss is huge. But when you buy powerful, prescription-only medications from an unverified social media account, the danger far outweighs the perceived benefit - so due diligence checks are vital. If in doubt, check it out.”
How do weight loss drugs work?
Weight loss medications such as Ozempic work by using the drug semaglutide which mimics the natural GLP-1 gut hormone to signal fullness to the brain.
Other brands including Mounjaro work in a similar way but includes medication like tirzepatide which targets both GIP and GLP-1 receptors to further reduce appetite.