Long waits for NHS weight loss services are leading patients to buy potentially dangerous injections online, the country’s top GP has warned.
Professor Kamila Hawthorne, president of the Royal College of GPs, said she had “serious concerns” about drugs sold by unregulated retailers.
He also urged caution with cheaper alternatives to prefilled injectable pens, which may require patients to prepare some of the medication themselves at home.
Even those who buy injections from registered online pharmacies risk missing out on essential monitoring and care, he said.
Professor Hawthorne urged patients to consult a doctor before taking weight loss medication.
She said: “If you’re faced with a two-year wait time and you want to lose weight now… you might decide you’re going to figure it out yourself.”
“We have serious concerns about this, because you don’t always know the origin of the medicines you buy unless they come from a reputable company that is properly regulated, and some of these places are not fully regulated.
‘I would definitely suggest you come and talk to your doctor or nurse about what you are planning to do and let them help you. Maybe they know ways to help you that you haven’t thought of.
Delays to NHS weight loss services are leading patients to resort to potentially dangerous online injections, a leading GP has warned. Pictured: Ozempic injection pens
Around 500,000 people in the UK have been prescribed weight-loss injections, but only five per cent receive them through the NHS (file photo)
According to the data, around 500,000 people in the UK have been prescribed weight-loss injections, but it is estimated that only 5 per cent receive them from the NHS.
The two available on the NHS are known as Wegovy and Saxenda. Ozempic, which contains the same ingredient as Wegovy, is used by the NHS to treat type 2 diabetes.
According to the Obesity Health Alliance, some patients are asked to wait up to five years to receive specialized weight management support.
In some parts of the country, some overstretched services have closed their waiting lists entirely.
Professor Kamila Hawthorne warned that even patients who bought medicines from registered online pharmacies risked missing out on essential monitoring and care (file photo)
The Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency said buying medicines online was extremely risky, suggesting criminals will go to “great lengths” to make their businesses look authentic.
Its products could contain “toxins and other ingredients that could cause real harm,” it warned.
Both warnings come after the Mail revealed how easy it is to buy vaccines online even when you are a healthy weight, due to lax regulations.
A Department of Health spokesperson said patients “in greatest need will receive treatment first”, but added: “We recognize that these medications are not a substitute for good diet and exercise and, as part of our 10-Year Health Plan, we will be changing the approach.” of health care from disease to prevention.’