Drug dealers in the UK are profiting from the growing demand for weight loss drugs like Ozempic and Wegovy, amplifying concerns over weight loss drug risks and the dangers tied to their misuse. Investigators reveal that sellers now offer these medications, originally developed for type 2 diabetes, on the black market alongside illicit substances like cocaine, ketamine, and MDMA.
Dealers sell semaglutide injections, branded as Ozempic and Wegovy, for £170 per dose. These lists also include ADHD treatments like Ritalin and newly classified illegal substances such as nitrous oxide. Experts warn that the difficulty in accessing these drugs via the NHS is contributing to their appeal on the underground market, where regulation and safety standards are nonexistent.
Consultant psychiatrist Dr Niall Campbell has expressed concern over this alarming trend, reporting that dealers are now including weight loss jabs alongside recreational drugs on their menus. The demand for these medications, he added, has created fertile ground for drug dealers looking to expand their offerings and profit from a health crisis.
Death Toll and Rising Concerns in the UK
The Medicines and Healthcare Products Regulatory Agency (MHRA) has linked 82 deaths in the UK to GLP-1RA receptor agonist drugs, including Mounjaro, Wegovy, and Ozempic. This includes 22 fatalities where individuals were using the drugs specifically for weight loss, a stark increase from the 10 deaths reported just three months earlier in October.
Of these, tirzepatide (Mounjaro) was associated with 18 deaths, semaglutide (Ozempic and Wegovy) with 29 deaths, and liraglutide (Saxenda or Victoza) with 35 fatalities. While not every fatality may be directly linked to the drugs, as underlying health conditions are often a factor, the trend raises serious safety questions.
Regulatory Moves and Public Warnings
Escalating popularity of weight loss injections has forced regulators to act. The pharmacy watchdog has tightened the rules around the prescription of these drugs, while the advertising regulator is investigating nine cases of alleged misrepresentation in marketing campaigns.
Professor Sir Stephen Powis, NHS medical director, highlights the risks of using these medications without proper prescription and monitoring. He warned that these drugs are not a “magic bullet” and work best when combined with lifestyle changes, including diet and exercise.
The Peril of Unregulated Use
Ozempic and Wegovy target medical use, with professionals managing risks and side effects. However, the growing black-market trade bypasses this essential safety framework, exposing users to potential misuse and harmful complications.
Experts caution that acquiring weight loss drugs from unregulated sources poses immediate dangers. Without medical guidance, users are vulnerable to critical side effects, drug interactions, and improper dosages. This trend mirrors growing misuse of ADHD medications like Ritalin, which are also becoming increasingly common in illegal drug markets.
Escalating Crisis Points to Broader Issues
Although GLP-1RA medications have been safely utilised in treating type 2 diabetes for over 15 years, their surging popularity as weight loss aids in the past seven years is producing dangerous outcomes. The misuse of prescription medications highlights the urgent need for improved education and intervention to prevent further harm and mitigate weight loss drug risks.
The rising demand for such drugs, alongside their presence in illegal markets, underlines a broader public health concern. When prescription and recreational drugs overlap in the underworld, it creates a cocktail of risks that can have life-threatening consequences. Promoting awareness of weight loss drug risks and preventative measures is crucial to addressing this rapidly worsening crisis.
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