Key Summary
- Over four in five GPs have seen a rise in patients offered unregulated medication in the past 12 months.
- One in four GPs have treated patients who required hospital care due to complications.
- Asda Pharmacy is introducing a “safe disposal and support scheme” offering judgment-free advice and safe disposal of unregulated products.
Asda Pharmacy has introduced a “safe disposal and support scheme,” encouraging anyone who may have purchased an unregulated weight loss injection to safely dispose it.
People are being encouraged to drop off these products at any of Asda's 230 pharmacies and seek professional advice, without judgement.
The initiative follows a report by UK General Practitioners which found that over four in five GPs (86 percent) have seen an increase in patients being offered unregulated medication over the past 12 months. Experts warn these products could be highly dangerous to individuals who take them.
Some patients also experienced side effects including severe vomiting (64 percent), diarrhea (58 percent), and dehydration (56 percent).
One in four GPs (25 percent) reported encountering patients who required hospital care following complications - underlining the critical importance of accessing support through regulated healthcare providers.
Furthermore, GPs are raising concerns about inconsistent and potentially unsafe dosing, with 45 percent highlighting worries about inappropriate advice from non-clinical sellers.
The research also indicates that some products are being purchased in non-medical settings such as gyms, beauty salons, and via social media, where customers do not receive appropriate clinical guidance or necessary aftercare.
A recent report published in The Lancet journal revealed that fake and falsified obesity drugs are creating a significant public health crisis.
Weight loss drugs have even caused deaths and health officials are facing urgent calls to investigate patient deaths linked to black market weight-loss injections.
Asda Pharmacy head Faisal Tuddy said: “We know lots of our customers are looking for help managing their weight, and it’s really important they feel confident they’re getting safe, trusted support.
“At Asda Pharmacy, we’re here to make that journey simpler - offering friendly, professional advice and clinically appropriate options that are tailored to each individual, with support every step of the way.
“If anyone is unsure about something they’ve bought, we’d always encourage them to pop in and have a chat with a pharmacist. Our new service is all about giving customers peace of mind - helping them feel supported, informed and able to make safer choices, without any judgement.”
