Some influencers with big followings on social media are illegally advertising weight loss injections, researchers have said.
Latest analysis has shown that a growing number of online influencers are promoting Ozempic and Mounjaro by offering followers discount codes and special offers.
Experts have revealed that some social media influencers are being paid by online pharmacies to promote their weight loss products.
However, the promotion of prescription drugs is forbidden in UK law, with this including sponsored posts shared on social media.
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Ozempic and Mounjaro are used to treat type 2 diabetes or obesity, but they can cause negative side effects, such as gastrointestinal issues and pancreatitis — inflammation of the pancreas.
Medical specialists are warning the public to not buy medication from online pharmacies and have said these types of social media advertisements are irresponsible.
According to the Royal Pharmaceutical Society (RPS), scammers are now posing as pharmacies to target vulnerable people and to sell contaminated versions of the popular weight loss jabs.
TikTok influencer @.katie.k1986 is encouraging her followers to buy Mounjaro via the online pharmacy MedExpress by offering them a £40 discount code.
Meanwhile, another TikTok user @ginageemounjaro was giving her followers a 15 per cent off code for the online pharmacy Curate.
In 2024, there have been roughly 1,400 adverts promoting weight loss jabs on Meta’s Ad Library – the company that operates Facebook, Threads, Instagram and WhatsApp.
For a month’s supply of weight loss injections, Boots and Superdrug sell this for £199 and £195 respectively.
One TikTok influencer said: “These brands come to you and say, do you want to work with us. One who approached me didn’t message from their official account, it was from an agency who represents them interestingly.
“It said, Hi I’m from the marketing department, we’ve seen your profile and would love to arrange a Teams chat with you to go through what we can offer you.”
He added: “Influencers aren’t going to promote something if they’re not going to gain from it. Some have been offered actual money, others free medication I believe. I’m not interested. I don’t want it.
“Every time I go on TikTok now I’m also having these codes and pharmacies shoved down my throat.
“If you go to big influencers’ comment sections it’s just all spam accounts saying, ‘use my code, use my code, use my code’. It’s ridiculous.”
He continued: “Some of these influencers are not doing it for the right reasons, they’re not trying to help people, they’re just trying to cash in. This medication can be amazing when it is used properly and responsibly.”
A MedExpress representative said: “We strictly adhere to MHRA advertising guidelines and do not use influencers to promote prescription medications.
“We have recently seen an increase in customer referral codes being shared on social media and within online community groups.”
They added: “However, our terms and conditions have always clearly specified that public sharing of these codes is prohibited, as they are intended solely for friends and family use.
“To reinforce this, we have recently updated our terms to include an annual cap on referrals. We are closely monitoring the referral system and remain committed to evolving our policies where needed.”
A Curate representative said: “Curate puts patient standards and safety at the forefront of everything it does, with all patients going through rigorous consultation and evidence collection prior to any medication being prescribed.
“Curate Health has a consumer-focused app in which supports people with a 360 view of their health.”
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They added: “We have provided public advocates and super users with unique pricing which provides them with a lower commercial barrier to entry across our weight loss service.
“This includes access to our app, consultations with experts and clinical support throughout their weight loss journey.
“We have built an exceptional community and business around weight-loss with thousands of people benefiting from our service on a monthly basis. This is not something we would want to jeopardise the integrity of.
“We work closely with all governing bodies to ensure the appropriate positioning, care and support is adhered to at all times.”
An Oushk Pharmacy representative said: “Oushk Pharmacy does not work with “influencers” to promote referral or discount codes.
“Instead, we have provided long-term patients – who choose to share their personal weight loss journeys on social media – with codes for our weight loss service as a whole.”
They added: “These codes are not associated with any specific prescription-only medication. We are extremely proud of the business we have built, focusing on patient education and exceptional care.
“We work closely with our governing body to ensure we not only meet but excel in all standards and regulations.
“As a customer-focused pharmacy, prioritising the safety and well-being of our patients is at the heart of everything we do, and we would never compromise that integrity for promotional codes on social media nor do we push for this.”
US influencer Stella Kittrell said to her 500,000 TikTok followers: “A year ago I got my first Ozempic collab offer and it was pretty nuts. A year ago, it was $15,000 for a 15 second ad, not its $20,000 for three-frame Instagram story.”
A spokesperson the UK’s Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) said: “We have just launched proactive investigations into ads of this nature, some of which include discount offers, as part of a project-based approach to identifying and tackling problems and setting clear precedents for advertisers.
“This will be followed-up by enforcement work. If and where advertisers appear unwilling or unable to follow the rules, we’ll take further action.”
Julian Beach, interim executive director of healthcare quality and access at the MHRA, noted: “Prescription-only medicines – including semaglutide – cannot be advertised to the general public, as set out in the Human Medicines Regulations 2012 and the MHRA’s Blue Guide.
“The MHRA takes concerns about the illegal promotion of prescription of weight-loss medicines to the public very seriously.”
He added: “We consider complaints we receive about the alleged advertising of prescription only medicines to the public, looking at each case on its own merits and, where appropriate, working with other regulators.
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“We review information received carefully in line with our procedures and guidance and will take appropriate action as necessary, as outlined in the Blue Guide, in order to protect public health.”
Dr Leyla Hannbeck, CEO of Independent Pharmacy Association, said: “The effectiveness of any weight loss drug is linked to personal endeavours to maintain lifestyle choices that support weight loss.
“Pharmacists are regulated professionals and have a legal and professional duty to adhere to the regulations.”
Dr Hannbeck added: “Many brick and mortar pharmacies are delivering weight loss management in accordance with regulatory guidelines.
“It is incumbent on the regulators, the MHRA and the General Pharmaceutical Council (GPhC) to investigate these advertisements and the impact they have on prospective patients and the public.”
Arjun Panesar, founding CEO of Gro Health, a leading digital weight management service used within the NHS and accredited by NICE said “In a world where misinformation about weight loss medications is rampant, it’s crucial to access treatments through legitimate, regulated channels that prioritise patient safety and wellbeing.
“We ensure our medication-supported services provide safe, professional, and responsible weight management through combining clinically-backed treatments, personalised health coaching, and continuous monitoring to help individuals achieve their health goals safely. ”
Jasmine Shah, Head of Advice at the National Pharmacy Association, commented: “You are risking your health if you buy unlicensed medication online.
“Medicines are not like ordinary goods for sale – they must be handled with great care because they have the power to harm as well as to heal.”
She added: “We urge anyone who is unsure about medicine they purchased online to speak to their local pharmacist for advice.”
