NHS issues warning after surge in hospital admissions linked to ‘miracle’ weight-loss jab
Hospital admissions linked to weight-loss drugs have surged to more than four times higher than previously reported, according to new figures from the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA).
The watchdog revealed that 274 people have been hospitalised due to adverse reactions to ‘miracle’ weight-loss jabs such as Ozempic – a dramatic increase from the 68 cases reported last month.
The total number of adverse reactions has also more than doubled, reaching 14,996 cases compared to 7,228 reported in the previous month.
The concerning figures have prompted fresh warnings about the safety of these medications, which are used to treat obesity and diabetes.
The surge in adverse reactions primarily involves gastrointestinal side-effects, the MHRA reported. Patients have experienced nausea, vomiting, constipation and diarrhoea after taking the weight-loss medications.
Fresh concerns have emerged over the availability of these drugs through online sales and black market channels.
The rise in hospitalisations has been particularly linked to unlicensed jabs and ‘off-label’ use, where the medications are taken without proper prescriptions or medical supervision.
These weight-loss drugs, including semaglutide (sold as Ozempic and Wegovy) and tirzepatide (sold as Mounjaro), are only meant to be administered under careful medical supervision.
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Layla Moran MP, chair of the Health and Social Care Committee, called the high number of hospitalisations “alarming” and urged stronger regulation of online sales.
“It is concerning that the illicit black-market sale of weight-loss drugs online has flourished, exposing individuals to serious risks from drugs that are unregulated,” the Liberal Democrat MP told The i newspaper.
It comes as doctors have warned of a “dangerous” weight-loss black market, with prescription drugs being advertised for sale on Facebook.
Dr Lizzie Toberty, GP lead at Doctors Association UK, warned that without prompt NHS access to weight loss drugs, “a risky black market will be created with the NHS having to pick up the unintended and serious consequences.”
Despite concerns, some experts have downplayed the data as “relatively low” whilst acknowledging the hospitalisations were concerning.
Dr Danielle Middleton, MHRA’s deputy director of benefit-risk evaluation, maintained that “the benefits still outweighed potential risks when used for the licensed indications.”
“The decision to start, continue or stop treatments should be made jointly by patients and their doctor, based on full consideration and discussion of the benefits and risks,” she added.
However, Katharine Jenner, director of the Obesity Health Alliance, called for the MHRA to investigate the “concerning number of hospital admissions.”
She emphasised that whilst these drugs were safe under proper supervision, online pharmacy checks on existing health conditions may not be “rigorous enough.”