The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) is warning people not to buy weight-loss medicines from beauty salons or via social media without a healthcare professional’s prescription.

Weight loss pens like Ozempic and Saxenda are prescription-only medicines, so you should only get them from legitimate pharmacies once you have obtained a prescription from a qualified prescribing healthcare professional like a GP. Be aware of fake pharmacy websites and social media posts offering weight-loss medicines illegally without a prescription.

Fake pharmacy websites and social media sellers illegally supply medicines that are not approved for use in the UK. These may contain toxins and other ingredients that could cause real harm, and you may even end up in hospital.

Don’t take the chance.

Here are two tips around buying weight loss medicines:

1. If you are thinking of buying a weight-loss medicine, speak with your GP or a healthcare professional first.

2. Be aware of fake pharmacy websites and social media posts offering weight-loss medicines illegally without a prescription.  

If you suspect you’ve had a side effect from any medicine, or you suspect your medicine is not genuine, report it to our Yellow Card scheme

Anyone can report an issue with a medicine, vaccine, medical device, blood product or e-cigarette to the Yellow Card scheme.

The Yellow Card scheme is run by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency (MHRA), which safeguards medical products quality and efficacy in the United Kingdom.

Reporting makes a big difference

Your Yellow Card report plays a key part in keeping others safe. Your experience can ensure that all healthcare products can continue their positive impact on peoples’ lives, by helping the MHRA identify new safety issues as early as possible.

You can find examples of where reporting to the Yellow Card scheme has made a difference in our case studies. You can also view information on what is being reported.