The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has issued a warning against acquiring illegal weight-loss medications without a prescription, particularly through dubious online platforms and beauty salons.

Purchasing unregulated drugs online poses significant health risks, as individuals miss out on essential medical support for obesity treatment.

The MHRA emphasizes the dangers of counterfeit products, cautioning against buying weight-loss drugs online or via social media without a prescription.

In response to the obesity crisis, the NHS plans to roll out the weight-loss drug Mounjaro over the next 12 years, aiming to benefit 220,000 people in the first three years, despite an estimated 3.4 million individuals being eligible.

Prof. Kamila Hawthorne has expressed concern over the rising population and the associated increase in chronic illnesses linked to obesity, urging the government to enhance funding for weight-loss services.

Patients are facing long waiting times for NHS support, with some waiting up to five years, which is driving them to consider self-medication as an alternative.

Approximately 15.8 million adults in the UK are classified as obese, representing 30% of the population, highlighting the urgent need for effective weight management solutions.

A spokesperson from the Department of Health and Social Care has emphasized that while weight-loss drugs can be beneficial, they should be used in conjunction with a healthy diet and exercise as part of a comprehensive health strategy.

Prof. Hawthorne warns that the long NHS waiting lists for weight-loss clinics are leading individuals to purchase unsafe fat jabs from unregulated sources.

Katharine Jenner, director of the Obesity Health Alliance, stresses that weight-loss drugs should only be used under medical supervision for those who truly need them.

The popularity of weight-loss drugs like Wegovy and Mounjaro has surged, fueled by celebrity endorsements and clinical trials, yet cheaper, unregulated alternatives are increasingly being prepared at home.

As the year ends, many people seek quick weight-loss solutions, increasing the risk of encountering counterfeit products, according to MHRA's Andy Morling.