A user in a Facebook group offered a cheap dose of a weight-loss drug to someone who said she could not afford to buy more of it and Mounjaro were among the medicines – which are only available in the UK via a prescription – that were seen promoted for sale in weight-loss groups on the social media platform.
Mounjaro is only approved on the NHS to treat diabetes. It is mainly aimed at those with a BMI of at least 35 but can be prescribed to people with a lower BMI if they meet other criteria.It is illegal to advertise prescription-only medicines to the public, sell them outside legitimate supply chains or for patients to sell prescription drugs to others. Patients who want to get rid of medicines they no longer need or want are encouraged to take them to a pharmacy so they can be disposed of safely.
One prospective buyer said she bought Mounjaro from a UK online pharmacy but they are struggling to fulfill the prescription. She continued: “I’m sure it will arrive as soon as they get stock but I’m reluctant to buy my next pen from them – I don’t want to have to stop/start… Can anyone recommend another provider?”
The overall number of adverse reactions linked to weight loss jabs has now reached 14,996 – more than double the figure reported by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency only last month. Dr Ellen Welch, vice chair of the Doctors Association UK and vice chair of North Cumbria Local Medical Committee, said a “postcode lottery” exists around access to weight loss injections on the NHS.