Losing weight naturally can be hard but pharmacy leaders have urged people not to buy fake weight-loss jabs online as they said shortages of Ozempic are expected to stretch into next year. The National Pharmacy Association (NPA) warned of a possible "explosion in the unlicensed sale of medication online", with people risking their health by purchasing Ozempic and Wegovy (semaglutide) without proper checks. The weight-loss injections have become very popular, with social media showing before and after pictures of fat loss, and some celebrities endorsing their use.
READ MORE: Average price of car insurance falls for the first time in two years following astronomical price hikes Ozempic is available on the NHS for people with type 2 diabetes, while Wegovy can be prescribed for weight loss via specialist weight management services, with strict criteria around who can get the drugs. Pharmacists are experiencing a shortage of Ozempic, fuelled by high demand plus the fact some medics are prescribing it off-label for obese people. Ozempic, made by Novo Nordisk, helps people with type 2 diabetes regulate their blood sugar levels but its ability to suppress appetite has also led to people using it to lose weight.
This has led to a shortage of the drug for those with diabetes while also fuelling a rise in counterfeit jabs. The NPA, which represents more than 5,000 independently-run community pharmacies, is urging patients to speak to their pharmacist or GP instead of buying medicines on.